Title Duke of Argyll Name John 7th Other names The Duke of Argyll Died April 25, 1847 | Nationality Scottish Spouse(s) Elizabeth Campbell | |
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Parents John Campbell, 5th Duke of Argyll Grandparents John Campbell, 4th Duke of Argyll | ||
John Douglas Edward Henry Campbell, 7th Duke of Argyll FRS FRSE (21 December 1777 – 25 April 1847), known as Lord John Campbell until 1839, was a Scottish peer and Whig politician.
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Background
Campbell was born in London, the third son of John Campbell, 5th Duke of Argyll. His mother was Elizabeth Campbell, 1st Baroness Hamilton of Hameldon, who had been ennobled in her own right in 1776. Campbell was baptised on 18 January 1778 at St James's in Westminster. He was educated privately and later attended Christ Church, Oxford. In 1803, he travelled to Paris, where he met Talleyrand as well as Napoleon; Campbell returned to England the following year. He succeeded his older brother George Campbell, 6th Duke of Argyll in his titles in 1839.
Career
Campbell was commissioned into the British Army in 1797 as an ensign of the 3rd Foot Guards, commanded by his father. He purchased a lieutenantcy in 1799 and shortly afterwards became a captain. During the French Revolutionary Wars, Campbell served in the Netherlands under orders of Sir Ralph Abercromby. He retired in 1801 forced by ill health and after two years was appointed lieutenant-colonel and commandant of the Argyll Volunteers. Following the rearrangement of the country's militias in 1809, he became colonel of the Argyll and Bute Militia.
He entered the British House of Commons in 1799, having been elected for Argyllshire as replacement for his uncle Lord Frederick Campbell. After the Act of Union 1801, he continued to represent the constituency also in the new Parliament of the United Kingdom until 1822. He was elected a fellow of the Royal Society in 1819. Campbell was nominated Keeper of the Great Seal of Scotland in 1841, an office he held for the next five years.
Marriages and Children
Argyll married firstly Elizabeth, eldest daughter of William Campbell against the wishes of his father in 1802. They were divorced six years later having had no children.
Argyll married Joan, only daughter of John Glassel in 1820. They had three children:
After his second wife's death in 1828, Argyll married thirdly Anne, eldest daughter of John Cuninghame in 1831. She was the widow of George Cunningham Monteath.
Argyll died, aged 69, in Inveraray Castle in Argyllshire and was buried at Kilmun Parish Church. Having been predeceased by his older son John in 1837, he was succeeded in the dukedom and his other titles by his second son George. He was survived by his third wife until 1874.