Elgin and Kincardine, EARL OF

Elgin and Kincardine, EARL OF, Governor-general of India. James Bruce, eighth Earl of Elgin, and first Baron Elgin in the peerage of the United Kingdom (1849), was born in London, 20th July 1811. He was son of the seventh Earl of Elgin (1766-1841) who brought from Athens the collection of sculptures known as the 'Elgin Marbles.' As governor of Jamaica (1842-46), and as governor-general of Canada (1847-54), he displayed administrative abilities of the highest order. While on his way to China in 1857, as plenipotentiary extraordinary, he learned at Singapore the outbreak of the Indian mutiny, and promptly diverted the Chinese expedition to the aid of Lord Canning. The mission to China was delayed, but ultimately, after some military operations and diplomacy, issued in the treaty of Tientsin (1858). He also negotiated a treaty with Japan, by which certain ports were opened to British trade. On his return home he was appointed Postmaster-general. In 1860 he was again in China for the purpose of enforcing the ratification of the treaty. A combined English and French force penetrated to the capital, and enabled Lord Elgin and Baron Gros to dictate a peace under the walls of Pekin. In 1861 Elgin became viceroy of India, and died at Dharmasala in the Punjab, 20th November 1863. See his Letters and Journal, edited by Walrond (1872); and Laurence Oliphant's account of his China expedition (1859).—His son, the ninth earl, born 1849, has been an active Liberal politician, has held numerous offices (such as those of Treasurer of the Household, First Commissioner of Public Works), and in 1893-98 was viceroy of India.