Family and Education

b. 22 Sept. 1756, 1st s. of Oliver Colt of Auldhame by Helen, da. of Robert Stewart, 7th Lord Blantyre [S]. educ. Elphinstone’s acad. Kensington; Edinburgh Univ.; Glasgow Univ.;1 adv. 1777. m. 22 Sept. 1778, Grizel, da. of Robert Dundas of Arniston, lord president of the court of session, and niece of Henry Dundas, 1 surv. s. suc. fa. 1778.

Offices Held

Biography

In 1784 Colt seems at first to have been a candidate for Haddington Burghs; and John Robinson noted in his electoral survey:2 ‘If Mr. Colt shall succeed he will be pro.’ Doubtless through the influence of Henry Dundas he was brought in for Lymington, where Sir Harry Burrard had placed a seat at the Government’s disposal. The seat cost £2,000, of which the Government paid £500.3 There is no record of Colt’s having spoken in the House.

He died 29 Dec. 1797.

Ref Volumes: 1754-1790

Author: John Brooke

Notes

• 1. Alex. Carlyle, Autobiog. 493. But his name does not appear in the Matric. Reg. of Glasgow Univ.
• 2. Laprade, 103.
• 3. Geo. Roses’s secret service accounts, Royal archives, Windsor.