Charles Dalrymple is Born

Today in Masonic History Charles Dalrymple is born in 1839.

Sir Charles Dalrymple, 1st Baronet was a Scottish politician.

Dalrymple was born Charles Fergusson on October 15th, 1839. At the age of 10 he adopted the surname Dalrymple, his mother's maiden name, when his father passed away. This was done to honor his great-grandfather's will. He attended Harrow School, a boarding school near London. Later he went on to Trinity College, Cambridge where he graduated with third-class honors in classics.

In 1865 Dalrymple was called to the bar at the Honorable Society of Lincoln's Inn, one of the four professional barrister associations in England where barristers are called to the bar.

In his early career Dalrymple served as Justice of the Peace and Deputy Lieutenant for East Lothian, Midlothian and Ayrshire. He served as Deputy Lieutenant for East Lothian as well. He was a captain in the Prince Regent's Ayr and Wigtown Militia.

In 1868, Dalrymple became a member of Parliament (MP) for Buteshire. He held the seat until 1885, this included a four month interruption in 1880. In 1886 he continued as MP for Ipswich serving until 1906. In 1905 he was made a member of the Privy Council, a formal body of advisors to the Sovereign.

Dalrymple passed away on June 20th, 1916.

Dalrymple served as the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Scotland from 1894 until 1896.

This article provided by Brother Eric C. Steele.