James Douglas 2d duke of Queensberry

James Douglas Queensberry, 2d duke of 1662-1711, Scottish statesman. One of the early supporters of William III in Scotland, he held offices under him and Queen Anne, rising to become commissioner to the Scottish Parliament (1700) and a secretary of state for Scotland (1702). Duped by an intrigue of Baron Lovat , he falsely accused John Murray , 2d marquess and 1st duke of Atholl, of Jacobite activities and for that mistake was dismissed in 1703. Restored to favor (1705) with the offices of lord privy seal and lord of the treasury, he worked hard for the union with England as commissioner to the Scottish Parliament. In 1708 he was created duke of Dover (in the English peerage), and in 1709 he was made third secretary of state for Great Britain.

Queensberry, James Douglas, 2nd duke of [S] (1662–1711). Douglas (Drumlanrig until he succeeded in 1695) was one of the first to join William at the Revolution, was a gentleman of the bedchamber 1689–1702, lord privy seal [S] 1696–1702, and received the Garter in 1701. As commissioner to the Scottish Parliament, Queensberry played a crucial role in carrying the Union in Anne's reign. Handsomely rewarded, he was granted a large pension, served 1707–8 as a representative peer, and in 1708 was created duke of Dover in the British peerage. From 1709 he was in charge of Scottish affairs but died early.

Queensberry, James Douglas, 2nd duke of [S] (1662–1711). Queensberry's father was promoted marquis in 1682, duke in 1684, and 1682–6 was lord high treasurer [S]. Nevertheless, he came to terms with William quickly after the Revolution. Douglas (Drumlanrig until he succeeded in 1695) was one of the first to join William, was a gentleman of the bedchamber 1689–1702, lord privy seal [S] 1696–1702, and received the Garter in 1701. As commissioner to the Scottish Parliament, Queensberry played a crucial role in carrying the Union in Anne's reign. After losing control of the Parliament in 1704, and suspected of Jacobite intrigues, he was briefly replaced by Tweeddale. A spell in opposition demonstrated his usefulness and he was reappointed commissioner and resumed as lord privy seal [S] in 1705. Handsomely rewarded for his part in effecting the Act of Union, he was granted a large pension, served 1707–8 as a representative peer, and in 1708 was created duke of Dover in the British peerage. From 1709 he was in charge of Scottish affairs but died early. Vilified by the Jacobites as an arch-traitor, Queensberry seems to have been moderate, persuasive, and personally agreeable.

J. A. Cannon