 Henry Bruce was stipendiary magistrate for Merthyr Tydfil, 1847 to 1854, Liberal member of parliament for Merthyr Tydfil, 1852 to 1869, and Home Secretary in Gladstone's government, 1868 to 1873.He was created first Baron Aberdare, of Duffryn, in 1873.His mother was youngest daughter of General Sir William Francis Patrick Napier.