Atholl, John Murray, 1st duke of

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Atholl, John Murray, 1st duke of [S] (1660–1724). Murray was a strong supporter of the Glorious Revolution, was created earl of Tullibardine in 1696, and succeeded his father as marquis of Atholl in May 1703. A month later he was raised to the dukedom and was given the Thistle in 1704. From 1696 to 1698 he served as secretary of state [S], resigning on losing ground to the Queensberry interest, and lord privy seal from 1703. But in 1705 he resigned and offered vigorous opposition to the Union, arguing that Scottish opinion had not been properly consulted and that Scotland would be underrepresented at Westminster. Henceforth he acted with the Tories. His first son was killed at Malplaquet; his second son took part in the '15 and the '45; his third son succeeded him; his fourth son was out in the '15, and his fifth son, Lord George Murray, was a pillar of the Jacobite cause in both the '15 and the '45.

J. A. Cannon

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