James Duff, 2nd Earl Fife
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James Duff, 2nd Earl Fife (1729–1809) was a Scottish Earl, Baron and Minister of Parliament.
Contents |
[edit] Biography
[edit] Birth
James Duff was born to William Duff of Dipple, 1st Earl of Fife, and Jean Grant (daughter of Sir James Grant of Pluscardine, Baron of Luss & Grant), on 29 September 1729.
[edit] Politics
In 1754 he became Member of Parliament for Banffshire, a position he held for 30 years until 1784. He gave the Banff town of Macduff its name, having changed it from Doune in 1783. He extended the town and built a harbour ensuring economic prosperity.[1]
He was then Member of Parliament for Elginshire from 1784 until 1790.
[edit] Nobility
He succeeded his Father as Earl of Fife in 1763, which he held until his death in 1809. He was created Baron Fife in the Peerage of Great Britain in 1790, a title which became extinct on his death. He was Lord Lieutenant of Banffshire from 1794 until his death.
[edit] Family
James Duff married Dorothea Sinclair in 1766. She bore him no children. However he had three children by his mother's personal maid, Margaret Adam of Keith, all of whom were born before his marriage to Sinclair.[2]
[edit] Agriculture
He did much for the improvement of agriculture and cattle-breeding.
[edit] References
| Preceded by Unknown |
Lord Lieutenant of Banffshire 1794–1809 |
Succeeded by Unknown |
| Preceded by James Abercromby |
Member for Banffshire 1754–1784 |
Succeeded by Sir James Duff |
| Preceded by Lord William Gordon |
Member for Elginshire 1784–1790 |
Succeeded by Lewis Alexander Grant |
| Peerage of Scotland | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by William Duff |
Earl Fife 1763–1809 |
Succeeded by Alexander Duff |
| Preceded by New Creation |
Baron Fife 1790–1809 |
Succeeded by Extinct |
