Francis Charteris, 10th Earl of Wemyss

Who was Francis Charteris, 10th Earl of Wemyss?

Francis Richard Charteris, 10th Earl of Wemyss GCVO, styled as Lord Elcho between 1853 and 1883, was a British Whig politician. He founded the Liberty and Property Defence League.

He was the eldest son and heir of Francis Wemyss-Charteris, 9th Earl of Wemyss and succeeded his father in 1883. Prior to then he was known as Lord Elcho. As Lord Elcho he was commanding officer of the London Scottish regiment for 17 years from its formation in 1859.

Charteris was a member of the Canterbury Association from 27 March 1848, and belonged to the management committee.

He developed an interest in the alternative medical practice of Homeopathy, even becoming President of the London Homeopathic Hospital until his death. The strength of his belief is evidenced by his writing in March 1914:

"I wish all success to Homoeopathy, to which I attach my physical well-being in great measure. When I was 90 I was asked to what I attributed my well-being at that late period of life. My answer was, 'To parentage and moderation'. I should have added 'AND HOMOEOPATHY,' with which I have been treated since I was 20."

On 29 August 1843, he married Lady Anne Frederica Anson, the second daughter of Thomas Anson, 1st Earl of Lichfield. In addition to his five sons he was also father of Evelyn Charteris, who married the 4th Viscount de Vesci of Abbey Leix. Their only daughter Mary Gertrude was the second wife of Aubrey Herbert, whose daughter Laura Herbert married the writer Evelyn Waugh, and was the mother of Auberon Waugh.