Introduction
Charles Bingham, 1st Earl of Lucan (22 September 1735 – 29 March 1799), known as Sir Charles Bingham, 7th Baronet from 1750 until 1776, was an Irish peer and politician.
Background
He was the second son of Sir John Bingham, 5th Baronet and his wife Anne Vesey, daughter of Agmondisham Vesey. In 1750, Bingham succeeded his older brother John as baronet.
Career
Bingham was appointed High Sheriff of Mayo in 1756. He was elected as Member of Parliament for both Castlebar and Mayo in 1761, and chose to sit for the latter. He was returned to the Irish House of Commons until 1776, when he was elevated to the Peerage of Ireland as Baron Lucan, of Castlebar, in the County of Mayo. As his title enabled him only to take a seat in the Irish House of Lords, Bingham was not restricted from entering the British House of Commons for Northampton in 1782, representing it until two years later. In 1795, Bingham was further ennobled as Earl of Lucan, of Castlebar, in the County of Mayo.
Family
On 25 August 1760, he married Margaret Smith, daughter of Sir James Smith at Bath, Somerset, and by her he had four daughters and a son, among which:
- Richard Bingham, 2nd Earl of Lucan;
- Lady Lavinia Bingham, who married the 2nd Earl Spencer;
- Lady Anne Bingham.
Bingham died, aged 63 at Charles Street, London and was succeeded in his titles by his only son Richard.