Douglas, Archibald, second Earl of Forfar 1693-1715, son of Archibald Douglas, first earl [qv.], and his wife, Robina Lockhart, was born on 25 May 1693. In his early years he bore the courtesy title of Lord Wandell, and Queen Anne about 1704 granted to him a yearly pension of 200l. to assist his education. In 1712, on the death of his father, he succeeded as second Earl of Forfar. In the following year, though only twenty years of age, he was appointed colonel of the 10th or Buff regiment of infantry. In 1714 he was sent as an envoy extraordinary to the court of Prussia, and he petitioned Queen Anne in that year for payment of arrears, both of the pension made to his father and also of that made to himself, amounting together to 1,400l.; while he says at the same time that in her majesty's service he had run into debt about 3,000l. In 1715 he served as a brigadier in the army raised by the Duke of Argyll for quelling the rebellion in Scotland, and was present at the decisive combat at Sheriffmuir 13 Nov., where he fought bravely, but sustained a mortal wound. He was removed to Stirling, and died there on 3 Dec. He was buried in Bothwell Church, and a monument erected to his memory. As he died unmarried the title of Earl of Forfar became extinct, and his estates passed to Archibald, first duke of Douglas [qv.].

Sources:
     Calendar of Treasury Papers
     Hist. MSS. Comm. 5th Rep. 618
     Fraser's Douglas Book.

Contributor: H. P. [Henry Paton]

Published: 1888