Family and Education

b. 10 Jan. 1754, o.s. of John Pringle of Crichton, Edinburgh by Anne, da. of Robert Rutherford of Fairnielee. educ. Edinburgh h.s.; St. John’s, Camb. 1771; I. Temple 1769; adv. 1777; Grand Tour 1777-8. m. 22 Sept. 1795, Anne Elizabeth, da. of Robert Chalmers, solicitor, of Larbert, Stirling and Musselburgh, Edinburgh, 2s. 1da. suc. fa. 1782; served h. to mat. gdfa. in Fairnielee 1786; suc. gt.-uncle John Pringle^† in Clifton and Haining estates 1792.

Offices Held

Dep. judge adv. and clerk of courts martial [S] Apr. 1782; jt. chamberlain and receiver crown rents of Ettrick Forest Feb. 1786.

Lt. Selkirk vols. 1798.

Biography

Mark Pringle succeeded his great uncle John Pringle as Member for Selkirkshire in 1786 and inherited his extensive estates in Scotland and in Madeira in 1792. He had obtained his Ettrick Forest place through the interest of the 3rd Duke of Buccleuch and Henry Dundas, and it was said of him in 1788: ‘Will go with the Duke of Buccleuch and Dundas, or rather with Pringle of Clifton ... who will always incline to support government’. He continued to give silent support to Pitt’s administration until he retired in 1802. He confirmed Whig doubts when he voted against the exemption of Scotland from the Test Act, 10 May 1791. In 1806, had the Whig takeover bid in Scotland succeeded, he would have been deprived of his office, worth £500 p.a. Pringle died 25 Apr. 1812.

Pol. State of Scotland 1788, pp. 116, 320; Morning Chron. 19 May 1791; Add. 51471A, ‘Officers holding places in Scotland during pleasure, proposed to be removed, 1806’.

Ref Volumes: 1790-1820

Author: D. G. Henry

Notes