Charles Grey

Who was Charles Grey?

Sir Charles Grey was a British army officer, member of the British House of Commons and political figure in Lower Canada. In later life, he served as private secretary to Prince Albert and later Queen Victoria.

He was born in Northumberland, England in 1804, the son of Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey and younger brother of Henry the 3rd Earl Grey.

Grey joined the British Army as a sub-lieutenant in 1820 and commanded the 73rd Regiment from 1833 to 1842. Grey represented Wycombe in the British House of Commons from 1832 to 1837, defeating Disraeli to win the seat.

In 1836, he married Caroline Eliza, daughter of Sir Thomas Harvie Farquhar. Their children included:

Mary Caroline Grey married the 4th Earl of Minto

Albert the 4th Earl Grey served as Governor-General of Canada.

Grey came to Canada with his brother-in-law, John Lambton, 1st Earl of Durham, in 1838. Grey was named a member of the Executive Council and Special Council of Lower Canada in June of that year and served until 2 November. He returned to England with Lambton later in November. He was promoted to general in 1865.