James St Clair

General James St Clair' (1688 – 30 November 1762 ) was a Scottish soldier and Whig politician.

Background St Clair was the second son of Henry St Clair, 10th Lord Sinclair and his wife Grizel Cockburn, daughter of Sir James Cockburn, 1st Baronet. As a child he received a commission into the 1st Battalion, Royal Regiment of Foot.

Military career St Clair became an ensign of 6th Regiment of Foot in 1694, however was set on halfpay in 1713.

He rose to brigadier general in 1739 and then after another two years rose to major general. St Clair became lieutenant-general in charge of the British forces in Flanders in June 1745 and in the following year, he was sent with six thousand men to attack Quebec.

In 1761, St Clair was finally advanced to the rank of full general. Two years later, he was elected for Sutherland, which constituency he represented until 1747, when he was again returned for Dysart.

Around 1745, he married Janet Dalrymple, the youngest daughter of Sir David Dalrymple, 1st Baronet and widow of Sir John Baird, 2nd Baronet. Their marriage was childless.