John Dalrymple, 7th Earl of Stair facts for kids

John William Henry Dalrymple, 7th Earl of Stair (born 16 November 1784 – died 22 March 1840), was an important figure in Scottish history. He was the son of General William Dalrymple and Marianne Dorothy Harland.

He became the 7th Earl of Stair after his cousin, John Dalrymple, 6th Earl of Stair, passed away without any children. This meant John William Henry Dalrymple inherited the title and responsibilities that came with being an Earl.

Life as the 7th Earl of Stair

John William Henry Dalrymple lived during a time of change in Britain. As an Earl, he was part of the nobility, a group of people with special titles and often land. Earls played a role in society and sometimes in politics.

A Notable Legal Case

In 1804, while he was in Edinburgh, a legal question arose about his marriage to Johanna Gordon. A judge named William Scott (who later became Lord Stowell) looked into the matter. In 1811, the judge confirmed that the marriage was valid under Scottish law. This case was quite well-known at the time.

Later, in 1808, Dalrymple had also married Lady Laura Manners. However, because the first marriage to Johanna was confirmed as valid, the marriage to Lady Laura was not considered legal. His marriage to Johanna was later ended in 1820.

Later Life and Passing

John William Henry Dalrymple passed away on 22 March 1840, when he was 55 years old. He died in Paris, France. He did not have any children, so another cousin inherited the title and became the next Earl of Stair.