Hume, Alexander, 2nd Earl of Marchmont (1675 -1740)

Alexander Hume was the third, but eldest surviving, son of Patrick Hume, 1st Earl of Marchmont, and Grizel, daughter of Sir Thomas Ker of Cavers. Educated at the University of Utrecht, he entered the Faculty of Advocates of Edinburgh in 1696, and was knighted in the same year. He married, 29 July 1697, Margaret, daughter and heir of Sir George Campbell of Cessnock in Ayrshire, adopting the surname Campbell. He was a Member of the Scottish Parliament for Kirkwall 1698 1702 and for Berwickshire 1706 1707, became a Lord of Session with the title of Lord Cessnock 1704 1714, and was Lord Clerk Register 1716 1733. In 1709, on the death of his elder brother, he succeeded to the courtesy title of Lord Polwarth. He was ambassador to the Court of Denmark 1716 1721, and joint ambassador to the Congress of Cambray 1722 1725. He was Sheriff of Berwickshire 1714 1725, and raised both horse and foot against the Jacobites in 1715. In 1724 he succeeded to the Earldom and was made a Knight of the Thistle 2 February 1725. In May 1733 he was dismissed from all his offices. The library of Hugh Campbell, 3rd Earl was sold at auction in London by R.H. Evans 12 May 1830.