 He retired from politics in the 1852 general election, and was succeeded by the Marquess of Stafford, also a Liberal.In retirement he lived and worked in his chambers at the Inner Temple; among other work, he served as a Trustee of the British Museum.His retirement from politics was not permanent; when Stafford was elevated to the House of Lords in March 1861 on becoming the third Duke of Sutherland, Dundas returned to Parliament.