Sir John Campbell, of Airds facts for kids

Sir John Campbell (born 1807, died 1853) was an important British official. He was known as the 7th Baronet of Ardnamurchan and Airds. Sir John served as the Lieutenant Governor of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. This means he was the main leader for the British on those islands.

Leading Saint Vincent

Sir John Campbell became the Lieutenant Governor of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in 1845. He held this important job until he passed away in 1853. At that time, Saint Vincent was a British territory. It had been won from France in 1783 after changing hands several times. As Lieutenant Governor, Sir John was the highest British official on the island. He represented the Queen directly. His job was to help govern the islands for Britain.

What is a Baronet?

A Baronet is a special title, like a knight, that can be passed down in a family. Sir John Campbell claimed the title of Baronet of Ardnamurchan and Airds. His father was the first in their family to claim this title. However, some family members before them did not use the title.

Even though Sir John, his father, and his son believed they were the rightful heirs, their claim was not officially recognized for a long time. The title was later re-created in 1913. But it became inactive again after Sir John's grandson died in 1943.

Sir John's Family

On November 21, 1833, Sir John Campbell married Hannah Elizabeth Macleod. She was born around 1813 and passed away in 1873. Hannah was the daughter of Lieutenant Colonel James Macleod.

Sir John and Hannah had several children. Their oldest son, John William Campbell, became the 8th Baronet in 1853 after his father's death. They also had another son, Lieutenant Colonel Frederick Campbell. Frederick was born in 1843 and died in 1926. He married Emilie Guillamine Maclaine in 1869. Frederick and Emilie were the parents of Sir Edward Campbell, 1st Baronet.

Interestingly, a very distant relative of Sir John Campbell is the actor Jamie Campbell Bower. Another distant relative is Ferdinand Zvonimir von Habsburg. He is an heir to the historic Habsburg family.