James Douglas
(2nd Duke of Queensberry)

1662 - 1711

'Union Duke'. Educated at the University of Glasgow. An early supporter of William of Orange, he became known as the 'Union Duke' because he laid much of the ground-work for the Act of Union (1707). He became Secretary of State for Scotland under Queen Anne (1702). Despite much political posturing and the fact that Douglas made many enemies, he became a commissioner to the Treaty of Union and is said to have accepted a bribe of £12,000 to ensure the Act bringing the Treaty into being was passed in Scotland. His eldest son was the lunatic Earl of Drumlanrig (1697 - 1715), although he was passed over in terms of inheritance in favour of the second son who became the 3rd Duke.

His seat was Drumlanrig Castle (Dumfries and Galloway) and he also lived at Queensberry House in Edinburgh.

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