Henry Bruce, 2nd Baron Aberdare

Henry Campbell Bruce, 2nd Baron Aberdare, was born on 19 June 1851 in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales. He was the eldest son of Henry Bruce, 1st Baron Aberdare, who served as Home Secretary, and his first wife Annabella Beadon, daughter of Richard Beadon. Bruce received education at Rugby School in England and studied at Friedrich Wilhelm University in Berlin.

In 1895, he inherited the peerage from his father, succeeding as the 2nd Baron Aberdare. His early career included military service; as a member of the British nobility, he joined the Welch Regiment. He attained the rank of major of the 3rd Battalion in 1899. In 1900, he was appointed honorary lieutenant-colonel of the same battalion, and in 1910 he became honorary colonel of the 5th Battalion. Bruce was later promoted to lieutenant colonel of the 3rd Battalion. He was awarded the Volunteer Decoration.

Bruce also held various civic and cultural positions. He served as president of University College and of the National Museum Wales. As a Justice of the Peace, he was assigned to Glamorgan and served as Deputy Lieutenant of the county starting in December 1901, later progressing to Vice Lord Lieutenant. He was also a member of the London Survey Committee, a voluntary organization responsible for architectural surveys of London.

He married Constance Mary Beckett on 10 February 1880. Their union produced nine children: five sons and four daughters. Their children included:

- Captain Hon. Henry Lyndhurst Bruce (1881–1914), who married Camille Clifford, a Belgian-born stage actress and model for the Gibson Girl illustrations. He was killed in action at Ypres during the First World War.

- Hon. Margaret Cecilia Bruce (1882–1949), married Orlando Bridgeman, 5th Earl of Bradford in 1904.

- Clarence Bruce, 3rd Baron Aberdare (1885–1957), who married twice, first to Margaret Bethune Black and later to Griselda Hervey.

- Hon. Violet Eva Bruce (1887), who died shortly after birth.

- Hon. John Hamilton Bruce (1889–1964).

- Hon. Eva Isabel Marion Bruce (1892–1987), who married Algernon Strutt, 3rd Baron Belper, and later Harry Primrose, 6th Earl of Rosebery; she was made a Dame in 1955 and was a Chevalier of the Legion of Honour.

- Hon. Constance Pamela Alice Bruce (1895–1978), married Edward Digby, 11th Baron Digby; she was the mother of Pamela Harriman.

- Hon. Victor Austin Bruce (1897–1978), who married Mildred Mary Petre, known as Mrs Victor Bruce, a noted racing motorist and aviator. They divorced in 1941.

- Hon. Robert Bruce (1898), who died shortly after birth.

His eldest son, Henry, served as a captain in the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Scots but was killed in action early in the First World War.

Henry Bruce, 2nd Baron Aberdare, died on 20 February 1929 in St George Hanover Square, London. He was succeeded by his second son, Clarence Bruce, as the 3rd Baron Aberdare.