author

Earl of John Dalrymple Stair

1720–1789

A Scottish soldier and politician, he moved from the law into military and public life before inheriting the earldom in 1768. In Parliament he was noted for opposing the policies that led to the American War of Independence and for presenting a petition on behalf of Massachusetts in 1774.

1 Audiobook

The Proper Limits of the Government's Interference with the Affairs of the East-India Company Attempted to be Assigned with some few Reflections Extorted by, and on, the Distracted State of the Times

The Proper Limits of the Government's Interference with the Affairs of the East-India Company Attempted to be Assigned with some few Reflections Extorted by, and on, the Distracted State of the Times

by Earl of John Dalrymple Stair

About the author

Born in 1720, he was the eldest son of George Dalrymple of Dalmahoy and a grandson of the 1st Earl of Stair's line. He qualified as an advocate at the Scottish bar in 1741, but later entered the army and reached the rank of captain.

A favorite of his uncle, John Dalrymple, 2nd Earl of Stair, he was returned to Parliament for Wigtownshire in 1747. He succeeded as 5th Earl of Stair in 1768 and was chosen as a Scottish representative peer in 1771.

He is remembered as a peer who spoke against the measures that led Britain into the American War of Independence. He died in 1789 and was succeeded by his son, John Dalrymple, who became the 6th Earl of Stair.