William Ker, 2nd Earl of Roxburghe

William Ker, 2nd Earl of Roxburghe PC (16222 July 1675) was a Scottish nobleman who inherited his title from his maternal grandfather, Robert Ker, 1st Earl of Roxburghe.

Early life He was born William Drummond in 1622. He was the fifth and youngest son born to John Drummond, 2nd Earl of Perth, and Lady Jean Ker. His eldest brother, James Drummond (1615–1675), inherited his father's titles and became the 3rd Earl of Perth.

His mother was the eldest daughter of Robert Ker, 1st Earl of Roxburghe and the former Margaret Maitland, the only daughter and eventual heiress of William Maitland of Lethington. His paternal grandparents were Patrick Drummond, 3rd Lord Drummond and Lady Elizabeth Lindsay (the daughter of David Lindsay, 9th Earl of Crawford). His brother's son, James Drummond, 4th Earl of Perth, was created the Duke of Perth in the Jacobite Peerage in 1701.

Peerage and career As both of his maternal uncles predeceased his grandfather, the 1st Earl of Roxburghe, without a male heir to inherit his titles and estates, nominated his grandson William for the honours in 1648. William changed his surname to Ker and, by special arrangement ratified by Parliament in 1661, inherited the titles and estates of his grandfather.

Hon. Robert Ker (–1682), who married Lady Margaret Hay, eldest daughter of John Hay, 1st Marquess of Tweeddale. Lady Jean Ker, who married Colin Lindsay, 3rd Earl of Balcarres, a prominent supporter of James II of England.

Roxburghe died on 2 July 1675 and his titles were inherited by his eldest son, Robert.

Descendants Through his son Robert, he was a grandfather of Robert Ker, 4th Earl of Roxburghe (–1696), the eldest son of the 3rd Earl.

Through his only daughter Lady Jean Ker, he was a grandfather of Colin Lindsay, Lord Cumberland, master of Balcarres, who died unmarried in 1708, and Margaret Lindsay, who married John Fleming, 6th Earl of Wigtown.