Archibald Kennedy, 4th Marquess of Ailsa is Born

Today in Masonic History Archibald Kennedy, 4th Marquess of Ailsa is born in 1872.

Archibald Kennedy, 4th Marquess of Ailsa was Scottish peer.

Kennedy was born on May 22nd, 1872 in London, England. He was born Earl of Cassilis. He attended Eton College and Trinity College before going on to Cambridge University and Edinburgh University. In 1897 he was admitted as an advocate, in the Scottish jurist system a lawyer of superior classification.

In 1900, Kennedy joined the British Army and was assigned as a captain to the Royal Scots Fusiliers, an infantry unit, in the 3rd (Militia) Battalion. He served during the Second Boer War from 1900 to 1902. During the war he won two medals and five clasps. After the war he returned to England where he was promoted to the rank of Major. He went on to serve in World War I.

Kennedy held other honors including being the Deputy Lieutenant of Ayrshire. A Deputy Lieutenant is chosen by the Lord Lieutenant to help with duties as required. Although it is selected by the Lord Lieutenant it is a Royal Appointment. He was also a Fellow of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society.

In 1938, Kennedy succeeded his father as 4th Marquess of Ailsa. He held the position for only 5 years. Kennedy had no children so the title passed to his brother Charles Kennedy.

Kennedy passed away on February 27th, 1943.

Kennedy was a member of Holy-rood House Lodge No. 44 in Edinburgh, Scotland.

This article provided by Brother Eric C. Steele.