George Melville, 1st Earl of Melville facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Earl of Melville
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| Lord High Commissioner | |
| In office 1690–1690 |
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| Monarch | William II and Mary II |
| Preceded by | The Duke of Hamilton |
| Succeeded by | The Duke of Hamilton |
| Keeper of the Privy Seal of Scotland | |
| In office 1693–1695 |
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| Monarch | William II|William II and Mary II |
| Preceded by | The Lord Carmichael |
| Succeeded by | The Duke of Queensberry |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1636 |
| Died | 20 May 1707 (aged 71) |
| Spouse | Catherine Leslie-Melville |
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George Melville, 1st Earl of Melville (born 1636, died May 20, 1707), was an important Scottish leader and politician. He was active during the time when King William III and Queen Mary II ruled. In 1643, he became Lord Melville after his father passed away.
Melville's Political Journey
After the Stuart Restoration (when the monarchy was brought back to Britain), Melville was known as a moderate Whig. Whigs were a political group who often supported Parliament's power over the King's. He was also a Presbyterian, a type of Protestant Christian faith common in Scotland.
In 1679, Melville worked with the Duke of Monmouth to deal with a group called the Covenanters. These were Scottish Presbyterians who wanted to protect their religion and its freedom. Melville tried to convince some of the Covenanter rebels to end their protests peacefully.
Time in Exile: A Difficult Period
A major event in Melville's life happened in 1683. He and his son, David Leslie-Melville, the Earl of Leven, were accused of being involved in the Rye House Plot. This was a secret plan by some Whigs to harm King Charles II and his brother, the Duke of York.
To avoid being arrested, Melville and his son quickly left Scotland. They went to the Netherlands, where they joined other British Protestant exiles. These exiles were gathered at the court of Prince William of Orange. While there, Melville became one of the main Scottish supporters of William of Orange.
Returning Home: A New Beginning
After the "Glorious Revolution" of 1688, which saw King James VII (James II of England) removed from power, Melville played a big part in Scottish and English politics. He was especially important in the Convention Parliament in Scotland. This Parliament decided to offer the crown of Scotland to William of Orange and his wife, Mary, who was King James's daughter.
In 1689, King William made Melville the only Secretary of State for Scotland. This was a very important job, like being a top government minister. In 1690, he received several new noble titles: Earl of Melville, Viscount Kirkaldie, and Lord Raith, Monymaill and Balwearie. These titles were part of the Peerage of Scotland.
Although Melville's appointment as Keeper of the Privy Seal of Scotland in 1693 was seen as a step down politically, he still earned a lot of money from it. He gained even more after 1696 when he became President of the Privy Council of Scotland, earning a large annual salary. However, when Anne became queen in 1702, Melville lost his government positions.
