Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Hepburn, James (d.1637)

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1390147Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900, Volume 26 — Hepburn, James (d.1637)1891John Goldworth Alger ‎

HEPBURN, Sir JAMES (d. 1637), Scottish soldier of fortune, was the son and heir of Hepburn of Waughton, Haddingtonshire, and cousin of Sir John Hepburn [q. v.] He served under Sir John in Germany and France, attended his funeral, and, although objected to as a protestant, succeeded to his rank as commander of the Scots brigade. Richelieu wished Lord James Douglas (1617–1645) [q. v.] to be appointed, but Cardinal de la Valette, the general in command, apparently decided in favour of Hepburn. Hepburn served under Châtillon in Lorraine in 1637, and on 16 Oct., while he was fighting in the breach effected by blowing up a mine at Damvillers, a musket-ball passed through his chest. He died on 7 Nov. at Damvillers, which had capitulated the day after he was wounded. Lord James Douglas succeeded him.

[Gaz. de France, 31 Oct. and 12 Dec. 1637; James Grant's Memoirs of Sir John Hepburn.]

J. G. A.