John Campbell, 7th Duke of Argyll facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Duke of Argyll
FRS FRSE
|
|
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg)
Engraving of The 7th Duke of Argyll, c. 1843
|
|
| Born | 21 December 1777 |
| Died | 25 April 1847 (aged 69) |
| Other names | The Duke of Argyll |
| Nationality | Scottish |
| Wars and battles | French Revolutionary Wars |
| Spouse(s) | Elizabeth Campbell Joan Glassel Anne Cuninghame |
| Issue | 3, including George |
| Parents | John Campbell, 5th Duke of Argyll Elizabeth Gunning |
|
|
|
John Douglas Edward Henry Campbell, 7th Duke of Argyll (born 21 December 1777 – died 25 April 1847) was an important Scottish nobleman and politician. Before 1839, he was known as Lord John Campbell. He was also a member of the Royal Society and the Royal Society of Edinburgh, which are groups for important scientists and thinkers.
Contents
Who Was John Campbell?
John Campbell was born in London on December 21, 1777. He was the third son of John Campbell, 5th Duke of Argyll. His mother, Elizabeth Campbell, 1st Baroness Hamilton of Hameldon, was a noblewoman in her own right. This means she had her own special title.
John was educated at home by private teachers. Later, he went to Christ Church, Oxford, a famous university. In 1803, he traveled to Paris and met famous people like Talleyrand and Napoleon. He returned to England the next year. In 1839, he became the Duke of Argyll after his older brother, George Campbell, 6th Duke of Argyll, passed away.
His Time in the Army
In 1797, John Campbell joined the British Army as an ensign in the 3rd Foot Guards. This was a special army unit led by his own father. An ensign was a junior officer who carried the flag.
By 1799, he became a lieutenant and soon after, a captain. He served in the Netherlands during the French Revolutionary Wars. These were big conflicts between France and other European countries. In 1801, he had to leave the army because he wasn't well.
After two years, he was given a new role as a lieutenant-colonel. He led the Argyll Volunteers, a local defense group. Later, in 1809, he became a colonel in charge of the Argyll and Bute Militia.
A Politician in Parliament
John Campbell also had a career in politics. In 1799, he became a member of the British House of Commons. This is where elected officials meet to make laws for the country. He represented the area of Argyllshire.
After the Act of Union 1801, which joined Great Britain and Ireland, he continued to represent Argyllshire in the new Parliament of the United Kingdom until 1822. In 1819, he was chosen as a fellow of the Royal Society. This is a group for important scientists and thinkers.
In 1841, he was given the job of Keeper of the Great Seal of Scotland. This was an important official role, and he held it for five years.
The British American Colonization Association: A Project That Didn't Work Out
In 1841, the 7th Duke of Argyll and other noblemen started a group called the British American Colonization Association. This group aimed to help people from Britain and Ireland move to British North America (which is now Canada).
However, this project faced many problems and didn't work out as planned. The association went bankrupt, meaning it ran out of money. This caused difficulties for the people who had hoped to move, and many were disappointed because the plans for their journey and new homes didn't happen.
Family Life
John Campbell was married three times. His first marriage was to Elizabeth Campbell in 1802. They later divorced in 1808 and did not have any children.
In 1820, he married Joan Glassel. They had three children together:
- John Henry Campbell, who was called Earl of Campbell (1821–1837)
- George Douglas Campbell, 8th Duke of Argyll (1823–1900). George later became the 8th Duke. He married Lady Elizabeth Leveson-Gower and they had twelve children. He married two more times after Elizabeth passed away.
- Lady Emma Augusta Campbell (1825–1893)
After Joan passed away in 1828, John Campbell married Anne Cuninghame in 1831. She was a widow.
John Campbell died at the age of 69 in Inveraray Castle in Argyllshire. He was buried at Kilmun Parish Church. Since his oldest son, John, had passed away earlier in 1837, his second son, George, became the next Duke of Argyll. His third wife, Anne, lived until 1874.
