Charles Cathcart, 2nd Earl Cathcart

Cathcart, Charles Murray, 2nd Earl

Charles Murray Cathcart, 2nd Earl, general, governor general of British North America (b at Walton, Eng 21 Dec 1783; d at St Leonard's-on-Sea, Eng 16 July 1859). One of Wellington's staff officers in the Napoleonic wars, Cathcart was also an amateur scientist of some reputation. In 1841 he discovered the mineral greenockite, a sulphate of cadmium. He served as commander of British forces in North America 15 June 1845 to 13 May 1847, and added the responsibility of administrator 26 November 1845 to 24 April 1846, and governor general 24 April 1846 to 30 January 1847. The highest civil and military executive powers were thus briefly united because of a severe crisis in Anglo-American relations during the Oregon boundary dispute. Cathcart was inexperienced in politics but an effective interim governor. He became dispensable with the signing of the OREGON TREATY.