Family and Education

b. 11 Oct. 1678, 2nd surv. s. of John Dalrymple, 1st Earl of Stair [S], by Elizabeth, da. and h. of Sir James Dundas of Newliston, Linlithgow. m. 26 Feb. 1698, his cos. Penelope Crichton, suo jure Countess of Dumfries [S], da. of Charles, Lord Crichton, 6s. 2da.

Offices Held

M.P. [S] Ayrshire 1703-7.

Jt. muster master gen. [S] 1706; commr. of the equivalent for Scotland 1707-19; capt. and lt.-col. 3 Ft. Gds. 1710-14; hereditary sheriff, Clackmannan-d.

Biography

William Dalrymple was returned unopposed as a government supporter on his family’s interest for Wigtown Burghs in 1722. He was again unopposed there in 1727, but chose to sit for the county, where he had also been elected, thus providing a seat for his second son John. Voting with the Administration on the Hessians in 1730, he went over to opposition with his brother, Lord Stair, before the excise bill in 1733, thenceforth voting against the Government in all recorded divisions. In September 1737 he was one of a group of opposition Members to receive a circular letter from Lord Marchmont urging his attendance at the opening of the new session.1 He did not stand in 1741. The father of William, his eldest son, 5th Earl of Dumfries and afterwards 4th Earl of Stair, and James, his third son, 3rd Earl of Stair, he died 30 Nov. 1744.

Ref Volumes: 1715-1754

Author: R. S. Lea

Notes

• 1. HMC Polwarth, v. 142.