William Douglas, 7th Earl of Morton

William Douglas, 7th Earl of Morton (* 1582 in Dalkeith, Midlothian, † August 7, 1648 in Kirkwall, Orkney ) was a Scottish peer and politician from the noble Douglas.

Work

Sir William followed in 1606 his grandfather William Douglas, 6th Earl of Morton in the earldom, as his father, Robert Douglas, Master of Morton had perished at sea under unclear circumstances during his exile in 1585. From 1630 to 1635 he was appointed the office of Lord High Treasurer of Scotland held a high government position in Scotland before the Union with England 1707. Upon his resignation he was appointed Captain of the Yeomen of the Guard and Knight of the Garter and a member of the Privy Privy Council ( Privy Council ) of the English king sworn.

Under William Douglas by his grandfather to the ancestral home of the Earls of Morton levied Castle Aberdour Castle was widely extended by a wing in the Renaissance style, which has been finished in his lifetime and marked the highest glory folding of the festivities.

Family

Sir William married in 1604 Lady Anne Keith († 1649), eldest daughter of George Keith, 5th Earl Marischal. From this marriage nine children, four sons and five daughters come. The firstborn, Robert Douglas, succeeded his father in 1648 as 8th Earl of Morton, but died for his part in the following year in 1649 and was succeeded by his son William Douglas, 9th Earl of Morton inherited. When he died in 1681 without heirs, followed Sir William's second son James Douglas, 10th Earl of Morton († 1686) to his nephew in the earldom. Since James was successively succeeded by his three sons, the six Sir William subsequent Earls of Morton were all his sons or grandsons. His third son, John Douglas, died 1650 in the Battle of Carbisdale while his youngest, George Douglas, went in Dutch services.