James Innes-Ker, 7th Duke of Roxburghe


James Henry Robert Innes-Ker, 7th Duke of Roxburghe, became Duke of Roxburghe on the death of his father, James Henry Robert Innes-Ker, 6th Duke of Roxburghe.

Early life

He was born on 5 September 1839 to James Henry Robert Innes-Ker, 6th Duke of Roxburghe and Susanna Dalbiac, Duchess of Roxburghe, only child of Sir Charles Dalbiac. His mother was one of Queen Victoria's staff until she died in 1895. His elder sister was Lady Susan Harriet Innes-Ker, who married Sir James Suttie, 6th Baronet. His younger siblings were Lady Charlotte Isabella Innes-Ker, wife of George Russell, and Lord Charles John Innes-Ker, who married Blanche Mary Williams.

Career

He served as a Liberal Member of Parliament for Roxburghshire from 1870 to 1874. He also served as Lord Lieutenant of Roxburghshire from 1884 until his death in 1892.

Personal life

On 11 June 1874 he married Anne Emily Spencer-Churchill. She was the fourth daughter of the 7th Duke of Marlborough and the former Lady Frances Vane-Stewart. Together, James and Anne, who served as Mistress of the Robes and Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Victoria, were the parents of seven children, three boys and four girls, including:
Lord Roxburghe died on 23 October 1892 and was succeeded by his eldest son. His widow, the Dowager Duchess of Roxburghe died in London in 1923 after a lengthy illness, at the home of her daughter Lady Evelyn and her husband, Colonel William Collins.