William Kerr, 3rd Marquess of Lothian

William Kerr, 3rd Marquess of Lothian, ( – 28 July 1767) was a Scottish nobleman, styled Master of Jedburgh from 1692 to 1703 and Lord Jedburgh from 1703 to 1722. He served in the role of Lord Clerk Register.

Early life He was the son of William Kerr, 2nd Marquess of Lothian and Lady Jean Campbell.

Career Although his title of Lord Jedburgh is generally regarded as a courtesy title, he voted at the election of Scottish representative peers under that name in 1712.

He succeeded to the Marquessate of Lothian in 1722. He was elected a representative peer in 1731, sitting in the House of Lords until 1761. From 1732 to 1738, Lothian was Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, and he was appointed a Knight of the Thistle in 1734. This provided a more convenient lodging when requiring to attand the Scottish Parliament or other social events in the capital.

Personal life

On 7 December 1711, he married Margaret Nicolson, daughter of Sir Thomas Nicolson, 1st Baronet, of Glenbervie, and his wife, Margaret (née Nicolson) Hamilton Nicolson. They had three children: Lady Jane Kerr, who died young.

Lady Margaret died on 30 September 1759 at Newbattle Abbey and was buried there. William Kerr subsequently married his cousin, Jean Janet Kerr, daughter of Lord Charles Kerr of Cramond and Janet Murray, on 1 October 1760, by whom he had no issue.

Death Lothian died at Lothian House, Canongate, Edinburgh in 1767, and was buried at Newbattle Abbey. His second wife died at Lothian House twenty years later, on 26 December 1787.