Robert Douglas, 1st Viscount of Belhaven

Robert Douglas, 1st Viscount Belhaven PC (1573 – 14 January 1639), was a Scottish courtier.

Family background The second son of Malcolm Douglas of Mains (executed 1584), by Janet Cunningham, daughter of John Cunningham, of Drumquhassil.

Career His older brother fought a duel with the brother of Oliver Leigh of Addington, who was avener of the royal stables, and was killed. Robert Douglas was given his brother's place at court, and became Master of the Horse to Prince Henry, a Gentleman of the Bedchamber to James VI and I and Charles I and Master of the Household to Charles I. He was knighted on 7 February 1609, and took a letter to Prince Henry's friend, John Harington, who was in Italy. He led the horse of state at Prince Henry's funeral in December 1612. In July 1616 he went to France with Lord Hay.

He was sworn of the Scottish Privy Council. In 1633, on the coronation of Charles I, he was raised to the Peerage of Scotland as Viscount of Belhaven, in the County of Haddington. Lord Belhaven died at Edinburgh in January 1639 and was buried in Holyrood Abbey in Edinburgh where his monument remains today. As he had no sons the viscountcy died with him.