James Campbell of Lawers ca.1680-1745

Sir James CAMPBELL of Lawers ca. 1680-1745

James Campbell's bookplate (British Museum Franks Collection *511)

Biographical Note

The third son of James Campbell, second earl of Loudoun (d. 1684). He entered the army as lieutenant in the Scots foot guards in 1693 and was promoted to captain in 1699. In 1702 he joined the Royal Scots Fusiliers and fought at Blenheim. In August 1706 he was made lieutenant-colonel of the 2nd Royal North British Dragoons (later the Scots Greys) whom he commanded at Oudenarde and at Malplaquet in 1709.

He was a member of the British Parliament from 1727 to 1741. In 1738 he was made governor and constable of Edinburgh Castle. He was promoted brigadier-general in 1735, major-general in 1739 and lieutenant-general in 1742. He commanded the British cavalry at the battle of Dettingen (1743) and at the battle of Fontenoy (1745) where he was killed.

Books

Used an engraved bookplate:

Franks *511 Campbell, The Honble. James, Esqr. 1709.

Sources

• Gambier Howe, E. R. J. Franks bequest: catalogue of British and American book plates bequeathed to the ... British Museum. London, 1903.
• Stephens, H. M., and Jonathan Spain. "Campbell, Sir James, of Lawers (c. 1680–1745), army officer." Oxford Dictionary of National Biography.