'King Campbell'. Son of the 7th Earl, he was educated at St Andrews. Created Marquis of Argyll in 1641 by King Charles I (1600 - 49), but his support was at best inconsistent, having backed the Covenanters and with real ambitions of usurping the throne in Scotland for himself. He went on to support Oliver Cromwell (1599 - 1654) against Charles, was defeated by James Graham (1612 - 50), Marquis of Montrose, at Inverlochy (1645) but helped David Leslie (1601 - 82) bring the final defeat of Montrose at Philiphaugh later the same year. He ran the Scottish government on behalf of Cromwell, but then supported Charles II (1630 - 85) as king, and indeed placed the crown on his head at Scone (1650). Yet, in the same year, concerned at the royalist defeat at Worcester, he switched his support back to Cromwell. On his restoration, Charles repaid Campbell's 'loyalty' by executing him at Edinburgh and his titles were forfeited. Hence there was only ever one Marquis of Argyll. He has a memorial in St. Giles Cathedral by sculptor Charles McBride (1851 - 1903).
