William Ruthven, 1st Earl of Gowrie

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William Ruthven, 4th Lord Ruthven, 1st Earl of Gowrie (c.1541–1584) was a son of Patrick Ruthven, 3rd Lord Ruthven

[edit] Life account

Like his father William was prominent in the political intrigues of the period and was also concerned in the murder of David Rizzio. In 1582 he devised the plot to seize James VI of Scotland, known as the Raid of Ruthven. He was the last-known custodian of the famous silver casket containing the letters alleged to have been written by Mary I of Scotland to her third husband James Hepburn, 4th Earl of Bothwell. In 1581 he was created Earl of Gowrie, but all his honors were forfeited when he was attainted and executed in May, 1584.

[edit] Marriage and children

William Ruthven married Dorothea Stewart. She was a daughter of Henry Stewart, 1st Lord Methven and his second wife Janet Stewart. Her maternal grandparents were John Stewart, 2nd Earl of Atholl and Lady Janet Campbell. Janet Campbell was a daughter of Archibald Campbell, 2nd Earl of Argyll and Elizabeth Stewart. Elizabeth was a daughter of John Stewart, 1st Earl of Lennox and Margaret Montgomerie. Margaret was a daughter of Alexander Montgomerie, 1st Lord Montgomerie and Margaret Boyd.

William and Dorothea were parents of four daughters:

Jean Ruthven. Married James Ogilvy, 6th Lord Ogilvy of Airlie. They were parents of James Ogilvy, 1st Earl of Airlie.
Margaret Ruthven. Married John Graham, 4th Earl of Montrose. They were parents of James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose.
Mary Ruthven. Married first John Stewart, 5th Earl of Atholl of the Eighth Creation, secondly John Stewart, 1st Earl of Atholl of the Ninth Creation and thirdly James Stewart.
Sophia Ruthven. Married Ludovic Stewart, 2nd Duke of Lennox.

Preceded by New Creation	Earl of Gowrie 1581–1584	Succeeded by James Ruthven
Preceded by Patrick Ruthven	Lord Ruthven 1566–1584	Succeeded by James Ruthven