James Sinclair, 12th Earl of Caithness (1766–1823) was a Scottish noble, Earl of Caithness and chief of the Clan Sinclair, a Highland Scottish clan. [1]
James Sinclair was born at Barrogill Castle ( Castle of Mey) on 31 May 1766. [2] He was the son of Sir John Sinclair of Mey, Baronet who he succeeded in the baronetcy in 1774. [2] He succeeded as 12th earl of Caithness in 1789, [2] as nearest lawful male heir of William Sinclair, 2nd Earl of Caithness. [3] His claim to the peerage was sustained by the House of Lords. [3]
In 1811 he was appointed Deputy Postmaster General of Scotland in place of Francis Gray, 14th Lord Gray. Following his death on 16 July 1823 [4] the post was filled by Sir David Wedderburn, 1st Baronet. [5]
He was lord-lieutenant of the county of Caithness and lieutenant-colonel of the Ross-shire militia. [2]
He married at Thurso Castle on 2 January 1784 Jane, second daughter of Alexander Campbell of Bareldine who was deputy governor of Fort George. [2] They had the following children: