Keith, James

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Keith, James (1696–1758). Keith was the younger brother of the 9th Earl Marischal. They took part together in the '15 and fought at Sheriffmuir. Keith next joined the Spanish expedition which ended at Glenshiel in 1719, whence he escaped with difficulty. The rest of his life was spent as a highly successful soldier of fortune. For nine years he served the Spaniards, taking part in the siege of Gibraltar in 1727. He next joined the Russian service and distinguished himself in the war against Sweden 1741–3. In 1747, weary of Russian court politics, he transferred to the service of Frederick II of Prussia, who made him a field marshal. He was killed in October 1758 at Hochkirk, the most outstanding of Scottish mercenaries.

J. A. Cannon