James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose

The Most Honourable The Marquess of Montrose
Portrait by Anthony van Dyck, 1636
Born	1612 Scotland
Died	21 May 1650(1650-05-21) (aged 37) Mercat Cross, Edinburgh, Scotland
Cause of death	Execution by hanging
Resting place	St. Giles' Cathedral, Edinburgh, Scotland
Nationality	Scottish
Other names	The Great Montrose
Alma mater	University of St Andrews
Occupation(s)	Chief of Clan Graham, soldier, poet
Title	Lord Lieutenant and captain-general of Scotland, 1st Marquess of Montrose, 5th Earl of Montrose
Spouse	Magdalene Carnegie
Children	James Graham, 2nd Marquess of Montrose
Parent(s)	John Graham, 4th Earl of Montrose Margaret Ruthven
Military career
Battles / wars	Bishops' Wars Battle of the Brig of Dee First English Civil War Battle of Tippermuir Battle of Aberdeen Battle of Inverlochy Battle of Auldearn Battle of Alford Battle of Kilsyth Battle of Philiphaugh Siege of Irverness Battle of Carbisdale
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James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose (1612 – 21 May 1650) was a Scottish nobleman, poet, soldier and later viceroy and captain general of Scotland. Montrose initially joined the Covenanters in the Wars of the Three Kingdoms, but subsequently supported King Charles I as the English Civil War developed. From 1644 to 1646, and again in 1650, he fought in the civil war in Scotland on behalf of the King. He is referred to as the Great Montrose.

Following his defeat and capture at the Battle of Carbisdale, Montrose was tried by the Scottish Parliament and sentenced to death by hanging, followed by beheading and quartering. After the Restoration, Charles II paid £802 sterling for a lavish funeral in 1661. Montrose's reputation later changed from traitor or martyr to a romantic hero and subject of works by Walter Scott and John Buchan.^[1] His spectacular victories, which took his opponents by surprise, are remembered in military history for their tactical brilliance.^[2]