John Campbell, 4th Duke of Argyll

Biography

The Duke was the son of Hon John Campbell of Mamore, the second son of Archibald Campbell, 9th Earl of Argyll, and Elizabeth Elphinstone, daughter of John, 8th Lord Elphinstone.

Marriage & Children

In 1720 Campbell married Mary Drummond Ker, daughter of John Drummond Ker, 2nd Lord Bellenden of Broughton. They had the following children:

Military & Parliamentary Careers

Campbell joined the army at a young age, becoming a Lieutenant Colonel at the age of nineteen. However, he soon entered the world of politics, becoming Member of Parliament (MP) for Buteshire (1713–1715), Elgin Burghs (1715–1722 and 1725–1727), and finally Dunbartonshire (1727–1761). During most of his tenure as MP for Dunbartonshire, he was Groom of the Bedchamber.

Additionally, he served in the military during his tenure in Parliament—he became Colonel of the 39th Regiment of Foot (1737–1738) and the 21st Regiment of Foot (1738–1752), serving with honour in the Battle of Dettingen in 1741.

He rose quickly up the ranks, becoming a brigadier general in 1743, major general in 1744, and lieutenant general in 1747; he became colonel of the North British Dragoons in 1752, a position he held until his death.

Dukedom

Upon inheriting the dukedom and other titles upon the death of his cousin Archibald Campbell, 3rd Duke of Argyll, he left the House of Commons and became Governor of Limerick and a Scottish representative peer. He became a Privy Councillor in 1762, a general in 1765, and a Knight of the Order of the Thistle in that same year.

Death

The Duke died on 9 November 1770 and is buried at Kilmun Parish Church. He was succeeded in the dukedom and other titles by his elder son John. His younger son Lord William Campbell was the last British Governor of South Carolina.