l Henry Dundas, 1st Viscount Melville, lived from April 28, 1742 to May 28, 1811.
l He was "grand manager" – Secretary of State for Scotland – for 30 years.
l He was called the Great Tyrant, and James Boswell referred to him as "Harry the Ninth, Uncrowned King of Scotland".
l He was educated at Royal High School in Edinburgh and the University of Edinburgh, trained as a lawyer, and became Lord Advocate in 1775.
l In 1774 he became MP for Midlothian. He was appointed Minister for War and was a key aide to William Pitt the Younger, the Prime Minister.
l He was impeached in 1806 over his treasurership of the Admiralty but was acquitted.
l The Dundas dynasty has been called Scotland's "most powerful political family since the Stuart monarchy".
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