James Maitland Balfour

James Maitland Balfour was born on 5 January 1820 and died on 23 February 1856. He was a Scottish landowner and businessman known for accumulating wealth during the 19th-century railway boom and inheriting substantial family estates.

Family background and early life:

Balfour was the son of James Balfour and Lady Eleanor Maitland. Lady Eleanor was the daughter of James Maitland, the 8th Earl of Lauderdale. His father owned properties including Whittingehame House, a neo-classical mansion, and an estate in Ross-shire, Highland Scotland. The family also held a residence in Grosvenor Square, London.

Education:

He received his education at Eton College, one of the United Kingdom’s prestigious schools, and subsequently attended Trinity College, Cambridge.

Inheritance and career:

Upon the death of his father, Balfour inherited the family estates and business interests. He possessed the business acumen inherited from his father and became a director of the North British Railway Company during the railway mania period. His involvement in the railway industry contributed significantly to his wealth.

Political and military service:

Balfour served as a Conservative Member of Parliament representing Haddington from 1841 to 1847. He also held the military position of Major Commandant of the East Lothian Yeomanry Cavalry. In honor of his service, the Balfour Monument was erected on Traprain Law, located approximately 2.5 miles southwest of East Linton in Scotland.

Marriage and children:

On 15 August 1843, Balfour married Lady Blanche Mary Harriet Gascoyne-Cecil, daughter of James Gascoyne-Cecil, the 2nd Marquess of Salisbury. Her brother Robert Gascoyne-Cecil later became Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Together, they had eight children: five sons and three daughters.

Their children included:

- Eleanor Mildred Balfour (1845–1936), who married Henry Sidgwick and served as Principal of Newnham College, Cambridge.

- Evelyn Georgiana Mary Balfour (1846/7–1934), who married John William Strutt, 3rd Baron Rayleigh.

- Arthur James Balfour (1848–1930), who became Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1902 to 1905 and was the 1st Earl of Balfour.

- Cecil Charles Balfour (1849–1881).

- Alice Blanche Balfour (1850–1936), an entomologist, geneticist, and naturalist.

- Francis Maitland Balfour (1851–1882), Professor of Animal Morphology at the University of Cambridge.

- Gerald William Balfour (1853–1945), who became the 2nd Earl of Balfour and served as Chief Secretary for Ireland and President of the Board of Trade.

- Colonel Eustace James Anthony Balfour (1854–1911), an architect and ADC to King Edward VII.

Family relationships:

His wife, Lady Blanche Balfour, was active in social issues as a leading suffragist.

Death:

James Maitland Balfour died from tuberculosis in Funchal, Madeira, on 23 February 1856, at the age of 36. Lady Blanche Balfour passed away in 1872.