James Innes-Ker, 5th Duke of Roxburghe

Who was James Innes-Ker, 5th Duke of Roxburghe?

James Innes-Ker, 5th Duke of Roxburghe was a Scottish nobleman.

He was the eldest surviving son of Sir Henry Innes, 5th Baronet, and Anne Drummonda Grant. He succeeded to the Baronetcy on his father's death. Through the Innes family, he was a descendant of Robert Ker, 1st Earl of Roxburghe, and in 1812 established his claim to the vacant Dukedom of Roxburghe.

The fight for the succession of the title encompassed seven years of constant litigation; according to one biography, "seldom have the lawyers met with a richer harvest. The courts of Edinburgh and London have revelled in conflicting claims, and the House of Lords has been disturbed by never-ending appeals." On the demise of the 3rd Duke, who had never married, his principal titles, and large and productive estates, devolved on William, 7th Lord Bellenden, who died shortly thereafter, without heirs. The succession was contested by Major-General Walter Ker and the Right Honorable William Drummond; and only at vast cost decided, on 11 May 1812, in favour of Sir James, as descended from Lady Innes, the third daughter of Hary, Lord Ker, son of the first Earl of Roxburghe.