Alexander Murray, Earl of Westminster

Biographical Summary

"Hon. Alexander Murray, M.P., fourth son of Alexander (Murray), fourth Lord Elibank [S.], by Elizabeth, daughter of George Stirling, Surgeon, M.P. for Edinburgh; was an officer of some distinction, and having taken an active part against the Government in the Westminster election of 1750, was committed to Newgate, 6th February 1751; and as he declined to receive sentence on his knees, was remanded there, and only obtained his release on the prorogation of Parliament, 25th June following. He afterwards retired to France and for some time managed King James's affairs at the French Court. On 12th August 1759 he was created by King James Earl of Westminster, co Middlesex, Viscount of [ ], and Lord of [ ] [E.], with remainder to the heirs-male of his body, whom failing to Lord Elibank and the heirs-male of his body, who failing to George, Gideon, and James Murray, and the heirs-male of their body, respectively, and thenceforth he was generally called Count Murray. He was allowed to return to England by letter under the King's Privy Seal, April 1701, and died unmarried 1777."

SOURCE: The Jacobite Peerage, Baronetage, Knightage, and Grants of Honour, Extracted, by Permission, from the Stuart Papers Now in Possession of His Majesty the King at Windsor Castle, and Supplemented by Biographical and Genealogical Notes, page 184