Charles Seymour, 2nd Baron Seymour Of Trowbridge

Charles Seymour, 2nd Baron Seymour of Trowbridge, was an English peer born around 1621. He died on 25 August 1665.

He was the son of Francis Seymour, 1st Baron Seymour of Trowbridge. Charles succeeded his father in the barony in 1664. His paternal grandfather was William Seymour, the 2nd Duke of Somerset, indicating that the barony was part of a notable aristocratic family line.

Before inheriting the barony, Charles Seymour served as a Member of Parliament. He represented Great Bedwyn during the Short Parliament of 1640. Later, he was a member of the Cavalier Parliament from 1661 to 1664, representing Wiltshire.

Charles Seymour was married twice. His first marriage took place on 4 April 1632 to Mary Smith, the daughter of Thomas Smith of Soley in Chilton Foliat, a village northwest of Hungerford. They had three children: one son and two daughters. One of their daughters, Frances Seymour (before 1654–1716), married Sir George Hungerford, and they had at least six children.

His second marriage was in 1654 to Elizabeth Alington, who was born in 1635 and died around 1691. Elizabeth was the daughter of William Alington, 1st Baron Alington of Killard, who was born on 14 March 1610/1611 and died circa October 1648. With Elizabeth, Charles Seymour had seven children—five sons and two daughters.

Among his notable descendants was James Smithson, the chemist and mineralogist after whom the Smithsonian Institution in the United States is named. He was their three times great-grandson. Another descendant was the poet George Keate.

Both of Charles Seymour’s surviving sons, Francis and Charles, eventually inherited the dukedom of Somerset, which had been established by their grandfather. His daughter Honora Seymour married Sir Charles Gerard, 3rd Baronet.

Charles Seymour was succeeded in the barony by his elder son, Francis Seymour.