Alexander Livingston, 5th Lord Livingston


Alexander Livingston, 5th Lord Livingston of Callandar PC was the guardian of Mary, Queen of Scots, during her childhood.

Early life

Alexander Livingston was born in Callendar, Stirling, Scotland. He was the eldest surviving son of Agnes Livingston and William Livingston, 4th Lord Livingston of Callendar, and succeeded his father to the title of Lord Livingston in about 1518. Among his siblings was younger brother William Livingston, Captain of the Royal Castle of Kirkwall, and younger sister, Margaret Livingston, who married John Hay, 4th Lord Hay of Yester.
His paternal grandparents were James Livingston, 3rd Lord Livingston, and Agnes Livingston. His maternal grandparents were Alexander Hepburn of Whitsome and Janet Hepburn, daughter of Sir Alexander Napier of Merchiston. His maternal uncle was James Hepburn, the Bishop of Moray.

Career

In 1522, Livingston was a commander of the Scottish forces against England. He served as an Extraordinary Lord of Session in 1542, and as one of the eight Lord Keepers of Mary, Queen of Scots in her infancy. Lord Livingston became Joint Custodian of the Queen Mary's in about 1543 and served as Privy Councillor in 1545.
When Queen Mary went to France in 1548, following her betrothal to the Dauphin, Francis II, Livingston accompanied her, and remained there until he died.

Personal life

His first wife was Janet Stewart, the daughter of Alexander Stewart, 2nd Earl of Buchan. After her death, he married Lady Agnes Douglas, daughter of John Douglas, 2nd Earl of Morton, and by her he had eight children, including:
After the death of his second wife, he married for a third time to Jeanne de Piedefer, a Maid of Honour to Queen Mary. After his death Jeanne married Pierre de Joisel, Seigneur de Saint Rémy-en-Bouzemont et de Betoncourt, Master of the Household to Queen Mary.
Lord Livingston died sometime between 25 July 1549 and 4 January 1551.

Descendants

His grandson, through his son William, was Alexander Livingstone, 1st Earl of Linlithgow and his grandson, through his daughter Mary, was James Sempill. His great-grandson was Robert Sempill the younger.