Editing Thomas Bruce, 7th Earl of Elgin (section)

=== Military career ===
Elgin entered the army as an [[Ensign (rank)|ensign]] in the [[Scots Guards]] in 1785.<ref>London Gazette, # 12636, 5 April 1785, 171</ref> He transferred to 65th Foot in 1789, as captain of a company, by purchase.<ref>London Gazette # 13095, 9 May 1789, 363</ref> In 1793, he was appointed to the staff as a major of foot by brevet, holding the rank on the Continent only.<ref>London Gazette, # 13508, 5 March 1793, 191</ref> In 1795, he transferred to [[12th Regiment of Foot]] as a major.<ref>London Gazette, # 13772, 21 April 1795, 361</ref> Later in 1795, he raised a regiment of Fencible Infantry<ref name="Philippart, J. 1820. p.343">Philippart, J., ed. 1820. ''The Royal Military Calendar, or Army Service and Commission Book, Containing the Services and Progress of Promotion of the Generals, Lieutenant-Generals, Major-Generals, Colonels, Lieutenant-Colonels, and Majors of the Army, According to Seniority: With Details of Principal Military Events of the Last Century'', Vol.2, p.343. 3rd edition. London, UK: T. Egerton, and Sherwood, Neely and Jones</ref> and was appointed its colonel, with the permanent rank of lieutenant colonel in the Army.<ref>London Gazette, 13788, 16 June 1795, 629</ref> He was promoted to colonel in the Army in 1802, to major general in 1809 and to lieutenant general in 1814.<ref name="Philippart, J. 1820. p.343" />