As Lord Maitland he was lord-justice-general from 1681 to 1684; he was an adherent of James II and after fighting at the battle of the Boyne he was an exile in France until his death. This earl made a verse translation of Virgil (published 1737). He left no sons, and his brother John (c. 1655-1710) became the 5th earl. John, a supporter of William III and of the union of England and Scotland, was succeeded by his son Charles (c. 1688-1744), who was the grandfather of James, the 8th earl.
This entry was originally from the 1911 Encyclopedia Britannica.