Date Published:
March 2005

L’Encyclopédie de l’histoire du Québec / The Quebec History Encyclopedia

Charles Murray, Earl Cathcart

Cathcart, Charles Murray, second Earl Cathcart (1783-1859), governor-general of Canada (1846-47), was born at Walton, Essex, England, on December 21, 1783, the son of William Schaw Cathcart, first Earl Cathcart, and Elizabeth Elliott. He entered the army in 1799, and fought throughout the Napoleonic wars. He was promoted colonel in 1819 and general in 1854. From 1845 to 1847 he was commander-in-chief of the forces in Canada ; from November 26, 1845, to April 23, 1846, he was administrator of the government of Canada ; and from April 24, 1846, to January 29, 1847, he was governor­ general. He was created a C.B. in 1815, a K.C.B. in 1838, and a G.C.B. in 1859. He died at St. Leonards-on-Sea, England, on July 16, 1859. In 1818 he married Henrietta, second daughter of Thomas Mather, and by her he had three sons and three daughters. He was the author of several papers on geology and other scientific subjects; and he discovered a new mineral, a sulphate of cadmium.

Source  : W. Stewart WALLACE, ed., The Encyclopedia of Canada, Vol. II, Toronto, University Associates of Canada, 1948, 411p., p. 14.