John Dalrymple, 10th Earl of Stair facts for kids
John Hamilton Dalrymple, the 10th Earl of Stair, was an important Scottish nobleman and politician. Born on 1 April 1819, he held the title of Viscount Dalrymple before becoming the Earl of Stair in 1864. He is especially remembered for serving as the Governor of the Bank of Scotland for an impressive thirty-three years.
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A Life of Service and Leadership
John Dalrymple dedicated much of his life to public service in Scotland. He was involved in politics, banking, and even protecting historical sites.
Early Life and Family
John Dalrymple was the oldest son of North Dalrymple, 9th Earl of Stair. In 1846, he married Louisa-Jane-Henrietta-Emily, who was the eldest daughter of the 3rd Duc de Coigny. Together, they had six children:
- John Dalrymple, 11th Earl of Stair (1848–1914)
- Lady Jane Georgina Dalrymple (1850 − 8 June 1914; twin), who married Sir Arthur Vivian
- Lady Anne Henrietta Dalrymple (1850 – 18 Feb 1899; twin), who married Major-Gen. William Vesey Brownlow
- Hon. North de Coigny Dalrymple-Hamilton (31 October 1853 – 9 November 1906), who also had children, including Frederick Dalrymple-Hamilton
- Hon. Sir Hew Hamilton Dalrymple KCVO (27 September 1857 – 11 July 1945)
- Rev. the Hon. Robert McGill Dalrymple (born 1862), who became a vicar in Nottingham
His Political Career
From 1841 to 1856, John Dalrymple served as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Wigtownshire. An MP is a person elected to represent a specific area in the country's main law-making body.
When his father passed away in 1864, John inherited the title of Earl of Stair. This meant he became a member of the House of Lords, which is part of the UK Parliament.
Local Leadership
Beyond national politics, he also held important local roles. He was the Lord Lieutenant of Ayrshire from 1870 to 1897. A Lord Lieutenant is the King's or Queen's personal representative in a county. It is a largely ceremonial role, but it is very respected.
Leading the Bank of Scotland
One of his most significant roles was serving as the Governor of the Bank of Scotland. He held this important position from 1870 until his death in 1903. This means he was in charge of one of Scotland's main banks for over three decades.
Other Important Roles
John Dalrymple also served as the Lord High Commissioner to the Church of Scotland from 1869 to 1871. This role involves representing the monarch at the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.
He also played a part in local development. In 1877, he successfully stopped a plan to extend the Portpatrick and Wigtownshire Joint Railway further south to Drummore.
From 1896 to 1902, he was the President of the Cockburn Association. This group works to protect and improve the historic buildings and natural beauty of Edinburgh, Scotland's capital city.
John Hamilton Dalrymple passed away on 3 December 1903, leaving behind a legacy of public service and leadership.
