The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2001-07.
Queensberry, James Douglas, 2d duke of
1662–1711, Scottish statesman. One of the early supporters of William III in Scotland, he held offices under him and Queen Anne, rising to become commissioner to the Scottish Parliament (1700) and a secretary of state for Scotland (1702). Duped by an intrigue of Baron Lovat, he falsely accused John Murray, 2d marquess and 1st duke of Atholl, of Jacobite activities and for that mistake was dismissed in 1703. Restored to favor (1705) with the offices of lord privy seal and lord of the treasury, he worked hard for the union with England as commissioner to the Scottish Parliament. In 1708 he was created duke of Dover (in the English peerage), and in 1709 he was made third secretary of state for Great Britain.
