James Brudenell, 7th Earl of Cardigan
|
|
James Thomas Brudenell, 7th Earl of Cardigan (October 16, 1797 – March 28, 1868) was a British military leader during the Crimean War.
He was born in Hambleden, Buckinghamshire and educated at Christ Church, Oxford. He was MP for Marlborough in Wiltshire from 1818 to 1829, before inheriting the earldom from his father in 1837. By this time he was a serving army officer. In 1833, he had been forced to resign from the 15th Hussars because of conflicts with fellow officers, but in 1836 he took command of the 11th Hussars, using his own fortune to improve its performance. He was prosecuted in 1841 for a duel with one of his own officers, but was acquitted. His most famous exploit took place during the Crimean War when, in command of the light cavalry at the Battle of Balaclava, he led the Charge of the Light Brigade. It was during his service in the Crimea that the cardigan sweater was named after him.
| Preceded by: Robert Brundell | Earl of Cardigan | Followed by: George Brundell |