Dalrymple, John, 2nd earl of Stair

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Dalrymple, John, 2nd earl of Stair [S] (1673–1747). Diplomat and soldier. Dalrymple succeeded as 2nd earl at the age of 34 in 1707, having pursued a successful career in the army. He served as a Scottish representative peer 1707–8, 1715–34, and 1744–7, and was given the Thistle in 1710. In 1714–20 he was ambassador in France, where he played an important role in watching the Jacobites and in consolidating the understanding with the Regent d'Orléans. His opposition to Walpole's Excise scheme in 1733 led to his dismissal from his offices and only after Walpole's fall in 1742 was he restored to favour. In 1742 he served as ambassador at The Hague, was promoted field marshal, and in 1742–3 was commander-in-chief in Flanders, resigning in dudgeon. Walpole's brother Horace thought Stair ‘insufferably proud and haughty’ and Lord Hervey described him as of ‘a very warm, prompt temper’.

J. A. Cannon

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John Dalrymple 2d earl of Stair

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