Linlithgow, in the county of Linlithgow or West Lothian, on 23 October 1902. However among observers, and particularly Hopetoun himself, "there was little doubt that he had been less than successful in the great test of his public career". In the wake of his resignation, Alfred Deakin provided an explanatory editorial under alias for the British public in The Morning Post: "Our first Governor General may be said to have taken with him all the decorations and display and some of the anticipations that splendidly surrounded the inauguration of our national existence...we have...revised our estimate of high office, stripping it too hastily, but not unkindly, of its festal trappings. The stately ceremonial was fitting, but it has been completed." Later life Though he greatly desired appointment to the Viceroyalty of India, Linlithgow was prevented from attaining the position by poor health and adverse political developments, though his son Victor, 2nd Marquess of Linlithgow, eventually assumed this role (after rejecting the post of Australian Governor-General in 1935) from 1936 to 1943. His grandson Lord Glendevon married the daughter of the English novelist W. Somerset Maugham. In 1904 he accepted the position of President of the influential Scottish conservationist organisation the Cockburn Association, retaining the role until 1907. His final political appointment was to that of Secretary for Scotland during the last months of the ministry of Arthur Balfour in 1905. His political career failed to advance, and still plagued by poor health, he died suddenly of pernicious anaemia at Pau, France, on 29 February 1908. Arms References External links 1860 births 1908 deaths Hopetoun, 7th Earl of Governors of Victoria (Australia) Graduates of the Royal Military College, Sandhurst Members of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order Knights of the Thistle Conservative Party (UK) Baronesses- and Lords-in-Waiting John Lords High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland Colony of Victoria people Marquesses of Linlithgow Politicians awarded knighthoods Peers created by Edward VII