John Ker, 1st Duke Of Roxburghe

John became 5th Earl Of Roxburghe on the death of his brother Robert in 1696. In 1704 he was made a Secretary Of State Of Scotland , and he helped to bring about the Union With England , being created Duke Of Roxburghe in 1707 for his services in this connection. This was the last creation in the Scottish Peerage . The duke was a Representative Peer for Scotland in four parliaments. George I made him a Privy Council lor and Keeper Of The Privy Seal Of Scotland , and he was loyal to the king during the Jacobite Rising In 1715 . He served as Secretary Of State For Scotland in the British Parliament from 1716 to 1725, but he opposed the Malt Tax , and in 1725 Sir Robert Walpole procured his dismissal from office.

He died on 24 February 1741 . His only son, Robert (c. 1709-1755), who had been created ''Earl Ker of Wakefield'' in 1722, became 2nd duke.

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