Statesman and Covenanter. Born at Polwarth, he opposed the policies of the John Maitland, Duke of Lauderdale, and was imprisoned for his Presbyterian and Covenanting principles. He came close to death when accused of helping his friend Robert Baillie of Jerviswood (c.1634 - 1684) and was suspected in the unsuccessful rebellion led by Archibald Campbell, 9th Earl of Argyll (1629-85), in support of the Duke of Monmouth. He had to be hidden in Polwarth Church by his daughter, Lady Grisel Baillie (1665 - 1746), before he managed to escape to the Netherlands (1686). There he was an advisor to William of Orange and he later became Sheriff of Berwick (1692) and Lord Chancellor of Scotland (1696) under the joint monarchy of William and Mary. He was created Lord Polwarth (1690) and the Earl of Marchmont (1697).
He died in Berwick-upon-Tweed, and was succeeded by his son, Alexander Hume-Campbell (1675 - 1740), as the 2nd Earl of Marchmont.
