Gilbert Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound, 2nd Earl of Minto, GCB, PC (/kɪˈnɪnmənd/;[1] 16 November 1782 – 31 July 1859), styled as Viscount Melgund between 1813 and 1814, was a British diplomat and Whig politician.

[citation needed] He was educated at Eton, St John's College, Cambridge and University of Edinburgh.

[2] Minto was returned to Parliament for Ashburton in Devon in 1806, a seat he held until 1807, and then represented Roxburghshire between 1812 and 1814.

In his youth, Elliot had gone to Corsica where his father was viceroy and he developed an abiding affection for Italy.

[3] His influence in the Whig party was partly because his daughter, Lady Frances, was the wife of Lord John Russell.