Lieutenant-Colonel Sir James Adolphus Oughton, 37th Regiment of Foot, 1753 (c)

Oil on canvas, by George Knapton (1698-1778), 1753 (c).

James Oughton (1719-1780) wears the medal and ribbon of the Cumberland Society, of which he was Secretary. The Society was founded following the victory over Bonnie Prince Charlie at Culloden (16 April 1746) to commemorate the achievements of the Commander in Chief, William, Duke of Cumberland, and to mark the end of the Jacobite threat. It met annually on Cumberland's birthday (15 April), and Oughton is shown holding a copy of the Society's Proceedings for 1753.

Oughton entered the Army in 1741 and, in 1746 as a Captain, commanded a company of Ponsonby's (later the 37th) Regiment of Foot at Culloden. He served during the War of the Austrian Succession (1740-1748) and went on to command the 37th Regiment at the Battle of Minden (1 August 1759) during the Seven Years War (1756-1763). Around the year 1768 Oughton's distinguished military career was crowned by his appointment as 'Commander-in-Chief of North Britain' (Scotland). This post, which he held until his death, was particularly important at a period which saw several mutinies of Scottish soldiers against their conditions of service.

Oughton was a traveller and collector, as well as a classical linguist. His wide circle of acquaintances included Dr Samuel Johnson, who described him as 'a man of boundless curiosity and unwearied diligence' and suggested that 'you will find few men, of any profession, who know more'.