George Baillie facts for kids
.jpg)
George Baillie (born March 16, 1664 – died August 6, 1738) was an important Scottish politician. He served in the Parliament of Scotland from 1691 to 1707. After Scotland joined with England, he then served in the British House of Commons from 1708 to 1734.
Contents
Life of George Baillie
George Baillie was the son of Robert Baillie of Jerviswood. His father was accused of being involved in a plot against King Charles II in 1683. Because of this, his father was put in prison in 1684. To stay safe, George left Scotland and went to Holland with Sir Patrick Hume.
While in Holland, George Baillie joined the horse guards of William of Orange. He returned to Britain with William during the Glorious Revolution in 1688. This event changed who ruled England.
Early Political Career
George Baillie became a Shire Commissioner in the Parliament of Scotland. He represented Berwick from 1693 to 1698 and again from 1700 to 1701. Later, he represented Lanark from 1703 to 1707.
He was one of the first people to support the Darien Scheme. This was a plan to set up a Scottish colony in Panama. He promised a large sum of money, £1,000, to the Company of Scotland Trading to Africa and the Indies in 1696.
Baillie was also a key member of a group called the Squadrone Volante. This group of politicians was very important in the discussions that led to Scotland joining with England. This happened with the Acts of Union 1707 in 1707.
Improving Scottish Trade
George Baillie played a big part in making the Scottish Linen trade much better. In 1693, some members of the Scottish Parliament and merchants from Edinburgh started the Scots Linen Manufactory. Their goal was to compete with linen from Holland and France. They wanted Scotland to make enough linen for itself.
Even though this first company had special benefits, it closed after four years. However, these early efforts helped create the British Linen Company. This company became very important in Scotland's industrial history.
Later Political Roles
After Scotland and England united, George Baillie continued his political career. He served as a Member of Parliament for Berwickshire for 26 years in the new Parliament of Great Britain.
In 1711, Queen Anne appointed him as a Commissioner for Trade and Plantations. This meant he helped manage trade and colonies. In 1714, King George I made him one of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty. This was a high position in the navy.
From 1717 to 1725, he became a Lord of Treasury. This was a senior role in managing the country's money. He stopped being an MP in 1734. George Baillie passed away in Oxford in 1738. He was buried on his estate, Mellerstain, in Berwickshire. He had started building a grand house there, hiring William Adam to build the first parts.
Family Life
In 1691, George Baillie married Lady Grizell Hume. She was the daughter of Sir Patrick Hume and was known for writing songs and poems. They had three children together.
Their first child, Grisell, was born in 1692. She married a British army officer named Sir Alexander Murray of Stanhope. Their son, Robert, was born in 1694 but sadly died when he was very young. Their third child, Rachel, was born in 1696. She married Charles Hamilton, Lord Binning. He was the son of the Earl of Haddington.
Rachel's older son, Thomas, later inherited the title of Earl. The Mellerstain estate went to Rachel's younger son, George. He finished building the house by adding the main central part between the wings his grandfather had started. Today, Mellerstain is still the main home of the Earl of Haddington.
