Stewart, Charles

Very hard of hearing and nearsighted, but nevertheless served briefly as British Undersecretary for War in 1807, and as a cavalry officer in the Crimean Peninsula until 1812. In 1813, when his brother Robert became Foreign Secretary, Charles became "a kind of military ambassador" to Prussia and Sweden, and also commanded a cavalry unit in the Battle of Dresden; he also kept Sweden in the war, which blocked French intervention. Appointed Ambassador to Vienna (1814) and to the Congresses of Troppau (1820), Laibach (1821), and Verona (1822). Through his hearing wife he acquired large estates in Ireland and Durham in 1819. For 13 years, developed the coal facilities and harbors at Seaham and built the Durham railway. His titles included Lord Stewart (1814), Earl of Vane (1823), and third Marquis of Londonderry.