, Scottish courtier. Commended to James I by good looks and high spirits; substituted by James for his constitutional adviser; given Sir Walter Raleigh' s manor of Sherborne (1609); appointed treasurer of Scotland (1613). Enamoured of Lady Frances Howard, wife of Earl of Essex; opposed in his marriage to Countess of Essex upon her obtaining of a decree of nullity, by his confidant in the intrigue, Sir Thomas Overbury, who was found poisoned in the Tower (1613); lord chamberlain (1614); dislodged as favourite by George Villiers (1614). With his wife (who pleaded guilty and was pardoned, 1616) accused of murdering Overbury (1615); prosecuted by Francis Bacon; imprisoned in Tower (until 1621); later pardoned.