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John Graham, 4th Earl of Montrose

1573 – 1626

Scottish nobleman

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About John Graham, 4th Earl of Montrose

Lived 1573 – 1626 (aged 52–53).

John Graham, 4th Earl of Montrose (1573–1626) was a Scottish nobleman, Earl of Montrose from 1608 to the 1620s. He was for a time Lord President of the Privy Council of Scotland.

He was a Catholic, as the English ambassador William Asheby noted in November 1589, on the death of his uncle Mungo Graham, Master Household to James VI.

On 31 January 1595, in a feud following the death of his kinsman John Graham of Hallyards, he fought with James Sandilands on the Royal Mile. There were over 100 pistol shots and Sandilands was wounded. In the confusion, a rumour spread that King James was besieged in Holyrood Palace. Sandilands' brother-in-law William Crauford, brother of the laird of Carse was killed.

He was at court in Royston in England in 1614 and the court physician Théodore de Mayerne treated him for melancholy. Mayerne offered to write a recipe to treat his wife's eyes in 1616.

Marriage and Family He married Margaret Ruthven, daughter of William Ruthven, 1st Earl of Gowrie and Dorothea Stewart. Their children included: James Graham, 5th Earl of Montrose, later 1st Marquess of Montrose. Lilias Graham, married Sir John Colquhoun of Luss, 1st Baronet. Elizabeth Graham Margaret Graham married Archibald Napier, 1st Lord Napier of Merchiston Dorothea Graham married Sir James Rollo, Younger of Duncrub. Katherine Graham Beatrix Graham married David Drummond, 3rd Lord Maderty.

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Important facts

Born
1573
Birth century
Died
1626
Positions held
Member of the Parliament of Scotland
Also known as
John Graham, John Graham Earl of Montrose

People in John Graham, 4th Earl of Montrose's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped John Graham, 4th Earl of Montrose's

Frequently asked questions

Who was John Graham, 4th Earl of Montrose?

Scottish nobleman

When was John Graham, 4th Earl of Montrose born?

John Graham, 4th Earl of Montrose was born in 1573.

When did John Graham, 4th Earl of Montrose die?

John Graham, 4th Earl of Montrose died in 1626.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: John Graham, 4th Earl of Montrose

· Wikidata: Q6235930

· DBpedia: John Graham, 4th Earl of Montrose

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APA: Biography.guide. (2026). John Graham, 4th Earl of Montrose. https://biography.guide/john-graham-4th-earl-of-montrose/

MLA: "John Graham, 4th Earl of Montrose." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/john-graham-4th-earl-of-montrose/.

Chicago: "John Graham, 4th Earl of Montrose." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/john-graham-4th-earl-of-montrose/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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