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George Douglas Campbell, 8th Duke of Argyll

George John Douglas Campbell, 8th Duke of Argyll (30 April 1823 - 24 April 1900) was a prominent Liberal politician of the 19th century. A close associate of Prince Albert, he served as Lord Privy Seal in the cabinet of Lord Aberdeen, and then as Postmaster General in Lord Palmerston's first cabinet. He was again Privy Seal in the second Palmerston administration, where he was notable as a strong advocate of the Northern cause in the American Civil War.

In Gladstone's first government, Argyll became Secretary of State for India, in which role his refusal to promise support against the Russians to the Emir of Afghanistan helped lead to the Second Afghan War. In 1871, while actually serving in the Cabinet, his son and heir, Lord Lorne, married the Queen's daughter, Princess Louise, enhancing his status as a leading Grandee.

In 1880 he again served under Gladstone, as Lord Privy Seal, but resigned a year later in opposition to the government's Irish policy. In 1886, he fully broke with Gladstone over the question of Irish Home Rule, although he did not join the Liberal Unionists, but pursued an independent course. He diedin 1900.

Succession

Preceded by: The Marquess of Salisbury	Lord Privy Seal 1852—1855	Followed by: The Earl of Harrowby
Preceded by: The Viscount Canning	Postmaster General 1855—1858	Followed by: The Earl of Hardwicke	Lord Privy Seal 1859—1866	Followed by: The Earl of Malmesbury
Preceded by: Sir Stafford Northcote, Bt	Secretary of State for India 1868—1874	Followed by: The Marquess of Salisbury
Preceded by: The Earl of Beaconsfield	Lord Privy Seal 1880—1881	Followed by: John Douglas Edward Henry Campbell	Duke of Argyll	Followed by: John George Edward Henry Douglas Sutherland Campbell