Career
He entered the House in 1852 as a member for Peeblesshire, and held this seat until 1868, when it was united with that of Selkirk. He was returned for the newly unified constituency, and held it through 1880. He was a junior Lord of the Treasury from 1866 until 1868.
He was also Lord Lieutenant of Kinross-shire from 1854 until his death in 1901.