LAUDERDALE, John Maitland, DUKE OF, Scottish politician: b. Lethington, 24 May 1616; d. 20 or 24 Aug. 1682. He was the eldest surviving son of John, 1st. Earl of Lauderdale, and made his entrance into public life as a staunch supporter of the Presbyterian cause. He embraced the Covenant and in 1643 was sent to England as one of the commis sioners for the Solemn League and Covenant, later carrying it before the two houses at Westminster. In 1644 he was instrumental in securing the surrender of Charles I, but he afterward espoused the royal cause, and suc ceeded in obtaining a supreme influence over Charles II. He accompanied Charles II from Holland to Scotland but was taken prisoner at Worcester in 1651 and kept in prison until 1660 when he returned to Charles at Breda and despite opposition was appointed Secretary of State. He triumphed over all his opponents in Scotland, became practical administrator of that kingdom and soon turned against the Covenanters, whom he persecuted mercilessly.
Able and unscrupulous, his position as the favorite of Charles enabled him to employ methods which were reminiscent of the scan dals and abuses of the Stuart administration before the civil war. He was created Duke of Lauderdale and earl of March in 1672; and in 1674, earl of Guilford and Baron Petersham in the peerage of England, and was made a Privy Councillor of England. His hold upon the king withstood repeated demands of the House of Commons for his removal, and he remained in favor with the monarch until he voted for the execution of Lord Stafford, 29 Nov. 1680. He was then stripped of all his pensions and public offices except that of the life appoint ment of extraordinary lord of session. His health had already failed and he died in retire ment. He left no male issue and his English titles became extinct.