KEITH, JAMES (1696-1758). A Scotch gen eral, best known as :MARSHAL KEITH. The sec ond son of William, ninth Earl Ma rischal of Scot land, and Lady Mary Drummond. daughter of the Earl of Perth. he was born at the Castle of Inverugie in Aberdeenshire, on .June 14. 1696. He and his elder brother. George, Earl Marischal, took part, on the side of the House of Stuart. in the insurrection of 1715. and after its sup pression were attainted. See KEITH (The House of ). Having effected his escape. Keith re mained in France for some years. improving his knowledge of the military profession, and wait ing for an opportunity of obtaining service. In 1719, with his brother and other Scottish noble men, he sailed on board the fleet which was fitted out by Cardinal Alberoni and the Spanish Court for the invasion of Scotland. The Jacobites were defeated at Glenshiel by the royal army. under General Wightman, and obliged to retreat. Keith escaped to the Continent. He continued in the Spanish service, but as his expectations of pro motion were repeatedly disappointed, in conse quence of his firm attachment to his religion. he applied for a recommendation to the Russian Government, which was immediately given, and lie received from the Czar Peter II. a commission as major-general. He distinguished himself in the wars with the Turks and Swedes, particularly at the siege of Oczakov. and the reduction of the Aland Islands. but. finding the Russian service in
various respects dismrreeable. he entered that of Prussia in 1747. King Frederick knew his mer its. and gave him the rank of field-marshal. From this time his name is associated with that of the King of Prussia, who relied as much on the military genius of Keith as he did on the diplomatic ability of his brother, the Earl Mari schal. Keith's talents became still more con spieuons upon the breaking out of the Seven Years' War. He shared the doubtful fortunes of the King before Prague, and was present at the great victory of Rossbach. and at the retreat from Olmiitz. When the Austrians under Dann. and the Prussians under their met at Hochkir•h on Oetoher 14. 1758. Keith commanded the right wing. The Prussian army was beaten, and Keith. surrounded and overwhelmed by num bers while endeavoring to force his way at the bayonet-point, was shot through the heart. His body was recognized by Count Lacy, formerly his scholar in the art of war, and was buried at lloelikirch. Keith wrote a brief hut interesting fragment of a memoir of his own life. commenc ing with the year 1714 and ending in 1734. which was printed in 1843 by the Spalding Club. For his military career after entering the Prussian service. consult Carlyle. The Life of Frederick. the Great (New York, ISSS).