Alexander Livingstone, 1st Earl of Linlithgow

Alexander Livingston, 1st Earl of Linlithgow PC (died 24 December 1621) was a Scottish nobleman, courtier, and politician. His wife was Helenor Hay, Countess of Linlithgow who was a royal tutor.

Early life

He was the eldest son of William Livingstone, 6th Lord Livingston, by his wife Agnes, second daughter of Malcolm Fleming, 3rd Lord Fleming. Among his siblings were Jean Livingston, who married Alexander Elphinstone, 4th Lord Elphinstone, the Treasurer of Scotland, and Margaret Livingston, who married Lewis Bellenden and Patrick Stewart, 2nd Earl of Orkney.

Career On his father making submission to the Regent Morton on 22 May 1574, Livingstone was relieved of bonds, which he had entered into for the deliverance of Callendar House. In September 1579 he accompanied James VI of Scotland from Stirling to Edinburgh, on the occasion of his royal entry, and on 24 September 1580 he was appointed a Gentleman of the King's Bedchamber. In November 1596 the care of Princess Elizabeth was entrusted to him and his wife Helen Livingstone, Countess of Linlithgow, which caused continuing controversy because she was a Roman Catholic. He was chosen one of the members of the Scottish privy council, on its reconstitution in December 1598. In March 1600 he had a charter of novo damus of the barony of Callendar, in which the town of Falkirk was erected into a free burgh of barony. He and Lady Livingstone remained guardians of the Princess Elizabeth until the departure of Anne of Denmark to London in June 1603, and after the princess was restored to the king at Windsor an act was passed discharging them of their duty.

Union of the Crowns After the Union of the Crowns, Anne of Denmark summoned a meeting on 4 May 1603 with the Earl of Linlithgow (who looked after Princess Elizabeth), Adam Newton (the tutor of Prince Henry), and Alexander Wilson, a tailor who made clothes for the royal children. They made an inventory or schedule of what clothes needed to be made in the next ten days before their journey to England.

Livingstone was criticised at this time for his involvement in the controversy at Stirling Castle in May 1603. Anne of Denmark attempted to get custody of Prince Henry. She was resisted by Marie Stewart, Countess of Mar and the Master of Mar. Livingstone signed a bond with other noblemen supporting the delivery of the Prince to the Queen, an action which greatly displeased King James.

In July 1604 the Earl was appointed one of the commissioners for a union with England. In 1621 he voted, through his procurator, against the Five Articles of Perth. Anne Livingston (d. 1632), who married to Alexander Montgomerie, 6th Earl of Eglinton. Margaret Livingston (d. ), who married John Fleming, 2nd Earl of Wigtown.

Linlithgow died on 24 December 1621 at Callendar House, and was succeeded in his titles by his eldest surviving son.