Archibald William Montgomerie was born in Palermo, Sicily, on 29 September 1812. He was educated at Eton. He succeeded to the Earldom in 1819 on the death of his grandfather. He took his seat in the Lords as Baron Ardrossan. He was appointed Lord-Lieutenant and Sheriff Principal of Ayrshire in 1842. Eglinton was a protectionist and spoke against the Corn Importation Bill in 1846. In Lord Derby's government he was appointed Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland (Viceroy) and conducted his business with vice-regal style, though he was not popular among the Irish upper classes. Archibald William Montgomerie, 13th Earl of Eglinton and 1st Earl of Winton, died on 4 October 1861.
From the guide to the Letters of Archibald William Montgomerie (1812-1861), 13th Earl of Eglinton and 1st Earl of Winton, 1847-1853, (Edinburgh University Library)
