John Campbell, 4th Duke of Argyll

Who was John Campbell, 4th Duke of Argyll?

General John Campbell, 4th Duke of Argyll KT PC, was a Scottish Whig politician in the 17th and 18th centuries.

He was born to John Campbell of Mamore, the second 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 entered the world of politics, becoming Member of Parliament for Buteshire, Elgin Burghs, and finally Dunbartonshire. 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 and the 21st Regiment of Foot, 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.