John Campbell, 4th Duke of Argyll

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General Sir John Campbell, 4th Duke of Argyll KT PC (c. 16939 November 1770) was a Scottish Whig politician in the 17th and 18th centuries.

He was born to John Campbell, third son of Archibald Campbell, 9th Earl of Argyll, and Elizabeth Elphinstone, daughter of John Elphinstone, 8th Lord Elphinstone. In 1720 he married Mary Drummond Ker, daughter of John Drummond Ker, 2nd Lord Bellenden of Broughton.

Campbell joined the army at a young age, becoming a lieutenant colonel at the age of nineteen. However, he soon joined 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 periods 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.

Upon inheriting of his peerages (when his cousin died in 1761), 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.

His son Lord William Campbell was the last British Governor of South Carolina.

Parliament of Great Britain
Preceded by
James Dunbar
Member of Parliament for Buteshire and Caithness
1713–1715
Succeeded by
Sir Robert Gordon
Preceded by
James Murray
Member of Parliament for Elgin Burghs
1715–1722
Succeeded by
William Fraser
Preceded by
William Fraser
Member of Parliament for Elgin Burghs
1725–1727
Succeeded by
William Steuart
Preceded by
John Campbell
Member of Parliament for Dunbartonshire
1727–1761
Succeeded by
Sir Archibald Edmonstone
Peerage of Scotland
Preceded by
Archibald Campbell
Duke of Argyll
1761–1770
Succeeded by
John Campbell

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