James Douglas, 4th Duke of Hamilton
James Douglas, 4th Duke of Hamilton (
1658-
1712), eldest son of
William Douglas, Duke of Hamilton and of Duchess Anne, succeeded his mother, who resigned the dukedom to him in
1698, and at the accession of
Queen Anne he was regarded as leader of the
Scottish national party. He was an opponent of the Union with
England, but his lack of decision rendered his political conduct ineffective. He was created
Duke of Brandon in the peerage of
Great Britain in
1711; and on
15 November in the following year he fought the celebrated duel with Charles Mohun, Lord Mohun, narrated in
Thackeray’s Esmond, in which both the principals were killed. Their seconds George Macartney, Esq and Colonel John Hamilton were found guilty of manslaughter.