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Charles John Canning

Name: Charles John Canning
Born: 14th December 1812
Died: 17th June 1862 aged 49
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About Charles John Canning

1st Viceroy of India

He was the 3rd son of George Canning born in London 14th December 1812, He was educated at Eton and Oxford where he obtained high honours. He entered Parliament in 1836 as Conservative member for Warwick, but the next year was raised to the Upper House as Viscount Canning by his mother's death, both his elder brothers having predeceased her. In 1841 he became Under-secretary in the Foreign office, and under Lord Aberdeen was Postmaster General : in 1856 he succeeded Lord Dalhousie as Governor General of India. The war with Persia was brought to a successful close in 1857. In the same year on the 10th of May the Indian Mutiny began with an outbreak at Meerut. Canning's conduct was decried at the time as weak - he was nicknamed - Clemency Canning; but the general opinion later was that he acted with singular courage, moderation, and judiciousness. In 1858 he became the first Viceroy, and in 1859 was raised to an earldom.

He had married in 1835, Charlotte, elder daughter of Lord Stuart de Rothesay, and sister to Lady Waterford; and she having died at Calcutta on the 18th November 1861, he retired from his high office, and died in London on the 17th June 1862.

Charlotte Canning was a Lady in Waiting to Queen Victoria and an accomplished water-colourist. Some of her works are on occasions on display at Harewood House near Leeds.

Information submitted by: Alan Longbottom

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