Sholto Henry MacLellan, 8th Lord Kirkcudbright

Sholto Henry McClellan was 8th Lord Kirkcudbright, from 1801 to 1827. The son of John MacLellan, 7th Lord Kirkcudbright, and Elizabeth Bannister, he was born on September 1, 1769, in Cowes, Isle of Wight, Hampshire, England.

Background
After attending Tonbridge School in Tonbridge, Kent, England, Sholto Henry McClellan was admitted to Pembroke College, University of Cambridge on June 18, 1790, where he received an M.A. in 1792. He succeeded to the hereditary honor of Baron Kirkcudbright on December 24, 1801, upon the death of his father, John MacLellan, 7th Lord Kirkcudbright, and regularly participated in the Election of Scots Peers at Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh.

McClellan is sometimes referred to as 9th Lord Kirkcudbright; a common misconception that arises due to the fact that in 1668, John McClellan of Auchlane, in the Parish of Kelton and the County of Kirkcudbrightshire, made a supplication as heir of the deceased William MacLellan 4th Lord Kirkcudbright, as nephew of John MacLellan 3rd Lord Kirkcudbright, but immediately renounced his right as heir because he was pursued by his father William MacLellan of Auchlane's creditors and lacked sufficient funds to pay off his debts. Nevertheless, he is occasionally referred to as a Lord Kirkcudbright, despite the fact that he never possessed the title.

As Lord Kirkcudbright, Sholto Henry McClellan often frequented the theatre and sometimes found himself in the public eye because of his controversial behavior. In September 1807, he assaulted Miss Ann Lunden, who was attacked by Lord Kirkcudbright's dog. When she tried to fend off the dog with a walking stick, Lord Kirkcudbright kicked her and called her a "damn bitch." Witness testimony confirmed the assault, leading to Lord Kirkcudbright being found guilty and fined £20 by the court.

Similarly, in July 1817, Lord Kirkcudbright and his servant, J. Watts, were charged with assaulting Mr. John Penning in Marlborough Street. Penning opposed Lord Kirkcudbright's removal of furniture without paying rent. McClellan threatened Penning with a pistol, and Watts challenged him to a fight. Eventually, an agreement was reached, and the case was discharged after Lord Kirkcudbright posted bail.

In April 1825, Lord Kirkcudbright appeared before the Magistrates for breaking two panes of glass in Mrs. Kilner's drawing-room window, adjacent to his house. He explained his action as a response to what he perceived as impertinent looks from Mrs. Kilner's sons. Lord Kirkcudbright agreed to pay £0.12 in damages and £0.04 in costs after the Magistrates intervened.

It wasn't unusual to encounter rather harsh portrayals of Lord Kirkcudbright in satirical cartoons during that era. This was mostly likely because Sholto Henry McClellan may have been born with congenital kyphosis, a condition where the upper back bones fail to develop properly, causing the spine to curve and creating the appearance of a hunchback. Several works can be found in the British Museum collection, including illustrations by artists such as John Cawse, Isaac Cruikshank, James Gillray, Nicolaus Heideloff, William Holland, and Charles Williams.

Sholto Henry McClellan married Mary Cantes in Braughing, Hertfordshire, England, on March 28, 1820.

Sholto Henry McClellan died on Monday, April 16, 1827, at his residence, RedberryLodge, in Southampton, Hampshire, England. According to the Morning Post, "this Nobleman died at Southampton, a few days since, in the 59th year of his age. His Lordship was short in stature, and somewhat deformed in person. With some eccentricities, we understand he possessed many good qualities. He is succeeded by his brother Camden Gray McClellan who is an Officer in the Guards".,

Sholto Henry McClellan was buried in the Parish of Millbrook, Hampshire, England on April 28, 1827. According to the Diocese of Winchester and Holy Trinity Church of Millbrook's records of the removal of graves & tombstones, Sholto Henry McClellan's tombstone may have been illegible when the tombstones and memorials were transferred and as a result, was most likely removed sometime between November 1988 and May 1989.