Charles John Cary, 9th Viscount Of Falkland

Charles John Cary, 9th Viscount Falkland, was born in November 1768 and died on 2 March 1809. He was a Scottish peer and officer in the Royal Navy.

Cary was the younger son of Lucius Cary, Master of Falkland, and his wife, Anne. In 1796, he succeeded his elder brother, Henry Cary, as the 9th Viscount Falkland.

His naval career included commanding the ship HMS Busy, with which he captured the San Telmo in the West Indies in 1801. He attained the rank of post-captain in 1803. In 1807, while commanding HMS Quebec, Cary participated in the surrender of the Danish lieutenant commanding the garrison on Heligoland. Shortly after this event, he was dismissed from his command following a court-martial conviction for drunkenness and ungentlemanly conduct.

On 25 August 1802, Cary married Christiana Anton, who died on 25 July 1822. They had four children: three sons and one daughter. Their children included Lucius Cary, who became the 10th Viscount Falkland (1803–1884); Admiral Plantagenet Cary, the 11th Viscount Falkland (1806–1886); Captain Hon. Byron Charles Ferdinand Plantagenet Cary, RN (1808–1874); and Hon. Emma Christiana Cary, who died on 11 January 1827.

In 1807, Cary engaged in a duel with Arthur Annesley Powell, following a drunken quarrel. During the duel on 28 February 1809, Cary was shot through the groin, resulting in mortal injuries. He was taken to Powell’s house, where he died two days later.

Following his death, his eldest son, Lucius Cary, succeeded him as the 10th Viscount Falkland.