John Middleton

Brigadier-General John Middleton (1678 – 4 May 1739) was a British Army officer and Scottish Whig politician who sat in the House of Commons almost continuously between 1713 and 1739.

Early life He was baptised in Aberdeen on the 27th of September 1678.

Middleton was the fourth (but first surviving) son and sixth child of Rev Prof George Middleton DD (1645-1726) and Janet or Jane Gordon, daughter of James Gordon of Seaton. He was grandson of Alexander Middleton (younger brother of John Middleton, 1st Earl of Middleton) and Margaret Gordon. Both Alexander and George Middleton served as Principal of King's College, Aberdeen. John's younger brother, Robert, was father of Charles Middleton, 1st Baron Barham. In about 1712, John Middleton married Elizabeth Cunningham, daughter of William Cunningham of Enterkin, Ayr.

Political career

Middleton was closely attached to the Duke of Argyll from 1709 or before and followed the Duke's political affiliations. He was elected Member of Parliament (MP) for Aberdeen Burghs at the 1713 general election. At the 1715 general election he was defeated at the poll, but petitioned and was seated as Whig MP for Aberdeen Burghs on 22 July 1715. In 1717 he followed the Duke of Argyll into opposition and two years later followed him back to the government side. At the 1722 general election he was again defeated at the poll at Aberdeen and then seated on petition on 25 October 1722. He was returned unopposed in the general elections of 1727 and 1734 and remained MP until his death in 1739.

Middleton died in London of a "mortification of the bowels" on 4 May 1739, and was buried in Westminster (Abbey?). He left two sons and five daughters.