Charles Bruce, 5th Earl of Elgin and 9th Earl of Kincardine (6 July 1732 – 14 May 1771) was the son of William Bruce, 8th Earl of Kincardine. His mother was Janet Roberton, daughter of James Roberton (principal Lord of Session) and great-granddaughter of advocate and judge Lord Bedlay
On 1 June 1759, he married Martha Whyte (1739-1810, who later became governess to HRH Princess Charlotte of Wales. They had eight children:
Elgin was Grand Master of Scottish Freemasons from 1761 to 1763 and a founding member of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews. He built the planned industrial village of Charlestown, Fife.