George Charles Bingham, who lived from 1800 to 1888, was the 3rd Earl of Lucan. He was also known as Lord Lucan of Castlebar, Co Mayo, Ireland. He was one of the most dreaded landlords in Ireland. Lord Lucan was also a British Army Officer who ordered the infamous Charge of the Light Brigade at the Battle of Balaclava in 1854 during the Crimean War.
George Charles Bingham was born in London, England in 1800. He was a descendant of Patrick Sarsfield who led the Flight of the Wild Geese from Ireland following the signing of the Treaty of Limerick in 1691. Sarsfield was the 1st Earl of Lucan. The 3rd Earl of Lucan was educated in England and joined the British Army at the age of 16.
Lucan retired from the army in 1837. He moved to Mayo to manage the family estates which extended to over 60,000 acres. In the late 1840’s during the Great Famine in Ireland he carried out wholesale evictions of his tenants. His activities led to him becoming known in Mayo as ‘the exterminator’.
Lucan was given command of a cavalry division at the outbreak of the Crimean War in 1854. His actions during the Battle of Balaclava led to him being recalled to London. Though he remained in the army he had no further active military commands. He died in London on November 10th 1888.
George Charles Bingham, the 3rd Earl of Lucan, who was also known as Lord Lucan of Castlebar, Co Mayo, Ireland was born in the year 1800 On This Day.
3rd Earl of Lucan
Engraving by D J Pound after a photograph by John Watkins