John Ker
(1st Duke of Roxburghe)

c.1680 - 1740

Politician and noble. Ker acceded to the Earldom of Roxburghe, following the death of his elder brother Robert, the 4th Earl (d.1682). He was Secretary of State for Scotland (1704-5) and was rewarded for being an enthusiastic promoter of the Act of Union by being created Duke of Roxburghe by Queen Anne in 1707. Ker was also a Knight of the Garter.

He commissioned William Adam to build the grand Floors Castle (1725) as a seat befitting his stature.

He died at Floors Castle.

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