Patrick Campbell (British Army officer, born 1684) facts for kids

Patrick Campbell (born around 1684 – died February 18, 1751) was a British Army officer and a Scottish politician. He was also known as Peter Campbell. He served in the House of Commons, which is like the main part of the British Parliament, between 1722 and 1741. He was from South Hall in Argyll, Scotland.

Early Life and Military Service

Patrick Campbell was the second son of Duncan Campbell of Whitestone, located in Kintyre, Argyll. His mother was Barbara McAlester. He likely studied in Glasgow around 1690.

He began his military career serving in the Dutch army from about 1704 to 1708. Later, he joined the British Army. By 1711, he became a major in the 4th (Scots) Horse Guards. The next year, in 1712, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel. In 1721, he was given a special role as a "gentleman of the buttery," a position he held for the rest of his life.

Political Career

Campbell's family were strong supporters of the 2nd Duke of Argyll. The Duke helped Campbell get elected to Parliament. In the 1722 British general election, Patrick Campbell became a Member of Parliament (MP) for Buteshire without anyone running against him. An MP is a person elected to represent a group of people in Parliament.

Buteshire was a special type of constituency that took turns sending a representative to Parliament with Caithness. Because of this, Buteshire did not have an MP in the next Parliament. However, Campbell found another chance to serve. In 1728, he was elected as an MP for the Elgin Burghs in a special election, again without anyone opposing him.

Campbell continued to rise in his military career while also serving in politics. In 1733, he was made Lieutenant-Governor of Portsmouth, a role he kept for life. He was re-elected as MP for Buteshire in the 1734 British general election.

He received further military promotions:

• Brigadier-general in 1735
• Major-general in 1739
• Lieutenant-general in 1743

Campbell generally supported the Whig political party, following the lead of the Duke of Argyll. He usually voted with the government. However, when the Duke of Argyll disagreed with the government in 1739, Campbell also voted against a major agreement called the Spanish convention.

After 1741, Buteshire no longer had a representative in Parliament, and Campbell was unable to find another seat in the elections of 1741 or 1747. By this time, the 2nd Duke of Argyll had passed away, and his brother, Lord Ilay, became the 3rd Duke.

Later Life and Death

Patrick Campbell never married. He passed away on February 18, 1751.