Field Marshal John Campbell,
2nd Duke of Argyll KT KG


He was born on 10th Oct 1678 in Surrey. He succeeded his father, the 1st Duke to the title, and to the chieftainship of Clan Campbell in 1703. In 1705 he was created Baron Chatham and Earl of Greenwich for supporting the Act of Union.

His military career started under Marlborough at Oudenarde and Malplquet. He was Commander-in-Chief of the British Forces in Spain in 1711. At Sherrifmuir in 1715 he commanded the British against the Earl of Mar, and although he was partially successful, it was a defeat. His appointments were:

29th Sept 1703 - 10th Jan 1715 Colonel of 4th Troop of Horse Guards
24th Feb 1707 - 25th Feb 1711 Colonel of 3rd Foot
13th June 1715 - 7th March 1717 Colonel of Royal Horse Guards
1725 - 1740 Master General of the Ordnance
26th Aug 1726 - 5th Aug 1733 Colonel of 2nd Dragoon Guards
6th August 1733 - 5th May 1740 reappointed Colonel of Royal Horse Guards
24th Feb 1742 - 9th Mar 1742 reappointed Colonel Royal Horse Guards
1736 Field Marshal
1742 Commander-in-Chief of the British Army

He was Colonel of the Blues three times but was not very popular with the regiment. He was made knight of the garter in 1710 and had to resign form the Order of the Thistle in order to take it up. The French sculptor Louis Francois Roubiliac designed his elaborate tomb in Westminster Abbey following his death on 4th October 1743.


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by Stephen Luscombe