Major-General George Douglas, 1st Earl of Dumbarton was the son of William Douglas, 1st Marquess of Douglas and Mary Gordon. 

He married Anne Wheatley, daughter of Robert Wheatley. 

He gained the rank of Colonel in 1665 in the service of the 1st Foot. 

He was created 1st Lord Douglas of Ettrick [Scotland] on 9 March 1674/75. He was created 1st Earl of Dunbarton [Scotland] on 9 March 1674/75.

He was commander of the Scottish army which defeated pro-Monmouth forces under the Earl of Argyll in 1685.

He was a Gentleman of the Bedchamber to James II.

George Douglas kept a pack of terriers from Scotland that was so tough he called them the “Diehard Pack”. He later went on to name his favorite regiment, The Royal Scots, “Dumbarton’s Diehards” after his dogs. The nickname ‘Diehard’ has stuck with the Scottish Terrier to this day

On February 6, 1685, Charles II died, and the succession to the throne of a Catholic King in James VII/II brought to a head both the discontents at home and the plots of exiles abroad. The militia was called out; a force of regulars was assembled under the Earl of Dumbarton, the new Scottish Commander-in-Chief — that Lord George Douglas who had commanded and given his name to the Royal Scots, and who is commemorated in their regimental march of “Dumbarton’s Drums.”

Douglas—a good soldier who was afterwards (after being appointed Scottish Commander-in-Chief) to win fame in William’s service at Limerick, but a man of a jealous and irascible temper—had already turned his eyes to the rising sun.

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He was invested as a Knight, Order of the Thistle (K.T.) in 1687.

He gained the rank of Major-General in the service of the French Army.

 When King James VII/II fled to France, he was joined in exile by the Earl of Dumbarton.

 George Douglas, 1st Earl of Dumbarton died at St Germain-en-Laye, a royal palace being used by James II, and was buried at the Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, amongst other members of his family.

     Child of Major-General George Douglas, 1st Earl of Dumbarton and Anne Wheatley:

• George Douglas, 2nd Earl of Dunbarton   b. c Apr 1687, d. a 7 Jan 1748/49