James St Clair facts for kids
James St Clair (born in 1688 – died on November 30, 1762) was an important Scottish soldier and politician. He was known for his long career in the army and for serving in the British Parliament. He was a member of the Whig political group.
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Early Life and Family
James St Clair was born in Scotland in 1688. His father was Henry St Clair, who was the 10th Lord Sinclair. His mother was Grizel Cockburn. From a young age, James began his military career. He joined the 1st Battalion, Royal Regiment of Foot, which was a famous Scottish army group. This meant he was given an official role as an officer in the army.
Military Adventures
James St Clair's army career started early. In 1694, he became an ensign in the 6th Regiment of Foot. An ensign was a junior officer who carried the regiment's flag. He continued to rise through the ranks.
- In 1714, he became a captain in the 3rd Foot Guards.
- By 1723, he was a colonel.
- In 1734, he took command of the 22nd Regiment of Foot.
- Three years later, he became the colonel of the Royal Regiment of Foot, a position he held until he died.
St Clair became a brigadier general in 1739 and a major general in 1741. These were very high ranks! In 1745, he was put in charge of British forces in a place called Flanders.
Expedition to France
In 1746, General St Clair led a large group of 6,000 soldiers. Their first plan was to attack Quebec in Canada. But there were delays, so their mission changed. Instead, they sailed to France to try and capture the port of Lorient. They destroyed some French forts near Quiberon before returning to England. St Clair continued to serve in the army and was finally promoted to a full general in 1761.
Political Career
Besides being a soldier, James St Clair was also a politician. He was elected to the British House of Commons, which is part of the Parliament.
- From 1722 to 1734, he represented the area of Dysart Burghs.
- From 1736 to 1747, he represented Sutherland.
- He returned to represent Dysart Burghs from 1747 to 1754.
- Finally, he represented Fife from 1754 until 1762.
As a politician, he also traveled as an envoy, which means a special messenger or representative. In 1748, he visited the royal courts in Turin and Vienna. Later, he served as the governor of Cork, a city in Ireland.
Personal Life
In 1735, James St Clair bought Rosslyn Castle, a historic building in Scotland. After his death, the castle was passed down to the male family members of his sisters.
His older brother, John St Clair, died in 1750. When this happened, James technically became Lord Sinclair. However, he chose not to use this title. He preferred to keep his seat in the House of Commons and continue his political work.
Around 1745, he married Janet Dalrymple. They did not have any children. James St Clair passed away in Dysart in 1762. His wife lived for four more years after him. After his death, the title of Lord Sinclair was not used for a while. It was later given to his cousin, Charles St Clair, in 1782.
Legacy
A town in Minnesota, USA, is named St. Clair after him.
