In 1854, he graduated with first-class honours in law and modern history from Christ Church, Oxford.

This contrasted with his former meagre annual allowance received from his father at the time of his first marriage of £700 per annum.

The mothers of each were daughters of William Kerr, Marquess of Lothian, and their families initially opposed the match on the grounds of consanguinity.

[9] By Margaret he had seven further children:[4] Lord Clinton died of heart failure in Cairo in March 1904, aged 70, where he had gone for health reasons,[2] and was buried at St Andrew's Church, South Huish, which he had rebuilt in memory of his first wife Harriet.

[10] He was succeeded in the barony by his eldest son from his first marriage, Charles Hepburn-Stuart-Forbes-Trefusis, 21st Baron Clinton.