He became well known as "the gallant Earl of Crawford". Educated at the University of Glasgow and at the military academy at Vaudeuil in Paris, he entered the army in 1726. In January 1732 he became a Representative Peer for Scotland which he remained until his death. In 1733 he became Gentleman of the Bedchamber to the Prince of Wales, and in 1734 and 1735 was Grand Master of the Freemasons in Scotland. In 1735 he joined the Imperial army and was at the battle of Claussen on 17 October 1735. In April 1738 he served with the Russian army against the Turks. He distinguished himself in various engagements, as also at the battle of Krotzha, near Belgrade, on 22
July 1739 when his horse was killed under him and he himself severely wounded.

He returned to Scotland and was Adjutant General 1739-1743, then Colonel of the 43rd Foot (the "Black Watch") 1739-1740. At the Battle of Dettingen, 16 June 1743, he held a command and there was made a Knight Banneret by the King. On 30 April 1745 he conducted the retreat at Fontenoy. He then returned to Scotland to repress the Rising of 1745 and shared in the defeat of the Allies at Roucoux, in the Netherlands, 11 October 1746.

At Belford on 3 March 1747 he married Lady Jean Murray but she died of fever within six months. He himself died on 24 December 1749 in great suffering from a wound, inflicted in 1739, which had broken out for the 29th time.

Source: Leo van de Pas