CATHCART, WILLIAM SCHAW CATHCART, 1ST EARL (1755-1843), English soldier and diplomatist, was born at Petersham Sept. and died at his estate near Glasgow June 16, 1843. In 1868 he went to St. Petersburg, where his father, the 9th Baron Cathcart (1721-76), was ambassador. Suc ceeding to the barony in 1776 he joined the army, and served in America, where he commanded an irregular corps, the "British Legion," and was quartermaster-general to the forces. From to 1795 he served with the 29th foot in the Low Countries, and was appointed commander-in-chief in Ireland, 18o3–o5, after which he commanded the British expedition to Hanover (1805). After his successful conduct of the expedition to Copenhagen, which surrendered to him in 1807, he was created Viscount Cath cart of Cathcart and Baron Greenock of Greenock. Promoted to the rank of general in 1812, he served in Russia, as ambassador and military commissioner, with the headquarters of the allies, throughout the War of Liberation (1812-14), and was raised to an earldom, for his services, in 1814.
His son, CHARLES MURRAY CATHCART, 2ND EARL succeeded to the title in 1843. In 1800 he entered the 2nd Life Guards, and served in the Mediterranean (18o5–o6), in the Wal cheren expedition of 1809, and at Barossa, Salamanca, and Vit toria. He was also present at Waterloo, after which he received the C.B. From 1846 to 7849 he was commander-in-chief in Can ada ; in 185g he was raised to the rank of full general. Cathcart's interest in scientific pursuits led to his discovery, in 1841, of a new mineral which was named Greenockite.