Archibald Campbell, 1st Duke Of Argyll

Archibald Campbell, 1st Duke of Argyll, 10th Earl of Argyll (25 July 1658 – September 1703), was a Scottish peer known for his involvement in the political affairs of Scotland and Great Britain during the late 17th and early 18th centuries.

Born on 25 July 1658, he was the eldest son of Archibald Campbell, 9th Earl of Argyll, and Mary Stuart. Mary Stuart was the daughter of James Stuart, 4th Earl of Moray. His family lineage connected him to prominent Scottish noble families, and his early years were marked by the struggle to recover his father's estates, which had been affected by political conflicts and attainder.

In pursuit of his family's interests, Campbell sought to gain the favor of King James VII. When that effort was unsuccessful, he traveled to The Hague to support William and Mary in their claim to the British throne. His backing of William and Mary proved significant, contributing to their eventual return to power in 1688–1689 and the restitution of his father's estates in 1690, despite the family's prior attainder.

In 1689, Campbell was admitted to the Convention of the Estates of Scotland as Earl of Argyll, notwithstanding the attainder. As part of the proceedings, he was deputed alongside Sir James Montgomery and Sir John Dalrymple to present the crown to William and to tender the coronation oath. He was also appointed a Privy Councillor and served as William's chief Scottish advisor. During this period, he held military rank as colonel-in-chief of the Earl of Argyll's Regiment of Foot, a unit involved indirectly in the events surrounding the 1692 massacre of the MacDonalds of Glencoe, although Campbell himself did not participate in combat operations.

Campbell's political career continued to advance when he was appointed a lord of the treasury in 1696. In recognition of his status and service, he was elevated to the rank of duke in 1701, becoming the 1st Duke of Argyll.

On 12 March 1678, he married Elizabeth Tollemache, the daughter of Elizabeth and Sir Lionel Tollemache, 3rd Baronet, in Edinburgh. Elizabeth's stepfather was John Maitland, 1st Duke of Lauderdale, a prominent figure in Scottish political life of the era. The marriage produced four children:

- John Campbell, 2nd Duke of Argyll (10 October 1680 – 4 October 1743)

- Archibald Campbell, 3rd Duke of Argyll (June 1682 – 15 April 1761)

- Lady Margaret Campbell (2 June 1690 – died before 1703), who is not mentioned in her father's will

- Lady Anne Campbell (12 January 1692 – 20 October 1736), who married James Stuart, 2nd Earl of Bute

Archibald Campbell, 1st Duke of Argyll, passed away in September 1703 and was buried at Kilmun Parish Church.