BUCCLEUCH, biik-kltr'. One of the oldest and most distinguished ducal families in Scot land. It traces its descent from Sir IttcuARn LE SCOTT ( 124D-85) . The ancestor who first became historically conspicuous was Sir WALTER SCOTT of Branxhohn and Buceleuch ( ? 1490-1552 , a brave and powerful border chieftain who flour ished in the reign of James V. on some incidents in his life his great namesake founded the Lay of the Last llinstrel. Buccleueh, from this early period associated with the family title, is a lonely estate in the vale of Rankleburn,Selkirkshire. Sir Walter fought bravely in the battle of Pinkie, 1547. and was slain in an encounter with Sir Walter Kerr, of Cessford, in the streets of Edin burgh, 1552. Ile was succeeded by his grandson, Sir WALTtat Scorr of l'.uceleuch (died 1574), a 'knight NV I-4e, true, and modest,' who was succeeded by his Only son ( 563-1“111. who bore the same 11:11110. This Sir Walter is celebrated for his mili tary exploits on the border, not the least daring being the rescue of one of his attendants. Kin wont 'Willie• from the castle of Carlisle. For his service to the State. including organizing the bor der marauders for service in foreign he was raised to the peerage, 1606, as Lord Scott of Buccleuch. Subsequent titles borne by the fam ily are Barons of Eskdale, Earls of Bueeleuch, 1619; Earls of Dalkeith. 1612: Earls of Don caster and Barons Tynedale, England, 1662; Lords Scott of Whitehester, 'Dukes of Buccleuch, 166:3: Viscounts of Nith• Torthorwold, and Ross, Barons Douglas, Dukes of Queensberry, Mar quesses of Dumfriesshire, Earls of Drumlanrig and Sanquhar. 1684. The lineal title was con ferred on the natural son of Charles II., JA NIES SCOTT, Duke of Monmouth (q.v.) of rebellion fame (1649-851. Previously known as Fitzroy
:mid Croft•, he was raised to the dukedom and assumed the family name of his wife, Countess Anne, daughter and heiress of the second Earl of Buccleuch, when lie married her in 1663. In 1685 the Duke was beheaded. lie left four sons and two daughters, and his duchess retained her honors, titles, and estates in her own right. She afterwards married Lord Cornwallis, by whom she had a son and two daughters: she died in 1732. JAmEs, her eldest surviving son, pre deceased his mother, and his son FRANCIS, by the death of his grandmother, succeeded to the title of Duke of Bueeleuch. HENRY, third Duke of But-clench (born 1746), was the greatest and most estimable of his family. lie had for tutor and friend Dr, Adam Smith, and his talents. were directed toward the improvement of the soil, the planting of trees, the making of roads, the improving of the breed of sheep, and the social elevation of the numerous tenantry on his tensive estates in the south of Scotland. He died in 1812. and was succeeded by his eldest son, CHARLES. fourth Duke, who, dying in 1814, was succeeded by his son, WALTER FRANcts, born 1806. Ile is noted for the creation of the deep water harbor and port of Oranton, two miles from Edinburgh, the greatest public improvements ever executed in Scotland by an individual at his own private cost. lie was Lord Lieutenant of Midlothian and Roxburghshire, and captain of the Queen's bodyguard in Scotland. lie died in 1884, and was succeeded in the title by his son, WH.t.fikm 11EN It Y WALTER (born 1831). Consult Scott. Manusrript of 1Paufiuut Henry Walter Douglas Scott, Sixth Duke of Buccleueh and Queensberry (London, 1897).