A Scottish spy who infiltrated the French court during the 17th century, uncovering valuable secrets and influencing European politics. Known for his cunning and bravery in the espionage world.
John Ker, born John Crawford in 1673, is notoriously known for his duplicitous role as a government informer against the Jacobites, while secretly working with Catholic priests and Jacobite conspirators to further his own financial interests.
A Cameronian radical, Ker's controversial career was marked by his ability to navigate the complex web of political allegiances and rivalries of 17th-century Scotland, often at the expense of his own integrity.
Ker was born in Crawfurdland, Ayrshire, to Alexander Crawfurd of Fergushill, a Commissioner of Supply in the Parliament of Scotland. He married Anna, younger daughter of Robert Ker of Kersland, and assumed the name and arms of Ker after purchasing the family estates in 1697.
The 1690s were a tumultuous time for Scotland, with the country facing extreme economic hardship and famine. This period, known as the "seven ill years," saw Ker struggle financially, and he would later use his influence to alleviate his pecuniary embarrassments.
Ker's reputation as a government informer was cemented in 1707, when he received a licence permitting him to associate with known or suspected Jacobite conspirators. This licence effectively made him a paid spy, and he would go on to use this position to further his own interests.
In his Memoirs, Ker claimed to have had a network of spies and agents working under his orders, feeding information to the government about Jacobite schemes. However, it is likely that he also used this position to benefit financially, often selling his support to both the Jacobites and the government simultaneously.
John Ker's life was marked by controversy and deception, and his legacy is complex and multifaceted. While his actions as a government informer were instrumental in shaping the course of Scottish history, they also came at a great personal cost.
In spite of his questionable morals, Ker's story serves as a fascinating insight into the complexities of 17th-century Scottish politics, and the lengths to which individuals would go to further their own interests.
Born in 1900
Renowned for discovering and naming many bird species, particularly in the Caribbean, and authoring the seminal book "Birds of the West Indies".
Born in 1755
American patriot and martyr who gave his life for the cause of independence, famously declaring "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country" before being hanged by the British.
