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4 unusual facts about Lord Stirling


American peers

William Alexander, who was later an American major-general in the American Revolutionary War, was a pretender to the dormant title Earl of Stirling, and was even once permitted to participate in an election of Scottish representative peers, however his claim to the title was later rejected by the House of Lords.

Lord Sterling

William Alexander, Lord Stirling, American Revolutionary War general who claimed the title of Earl of Stirling

Sterling, Massachusetts

The town derives its name from General William "Lord Stirling" Alexander, a Scottish expatriate, who served valiantly under Gen. George Washington in the New York and other campaigns.

Valley Forge National Historical Park

Quarters of other Continental Army generals are also in the park, including those of Huntington, Varnum, Lord Stirling, Lafayette, and Knox.


Dey Mansion

Washington also had numerous visitors while at the Dey Mansion, those of which include the Marquis de Lafayette, General Anthony Wayne, Major General Lord Stirling, Benedict Arnold, General William Howe and the Marquis de Chastellux.


see also

Earl of Stirling

The titles became dormant upon the death of the fifth Earl in 1739, although one William Alexander of New York, known to history as Major General Lord Stirling of the Continental Army, years before the American Revolutionary War pursued a claim to succeed to the dormant earldom.