Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Pringle, Robert
PRINGLE, ROBERT (d. 1736), politician, was the third son of Sir Robert Pringle, first baronet, of Stitchel, by his wife, Margaret, daughter of Sir John Hope, a lord of session under the title of Lord Craighall. He was a younger brother of Sir Walter Pringle of Lochton, lord Newhall [q. v.] After studying for some time at the university of Leyden, which he entered 19 Nov. 1687 (Index to Leyden Students, p. 80), he took service under William, prince of Orange, with whom he came over to England at the Revolution. Shortly afterwards he laid down his commission, and was appointed under-secretary of state for Scotland. In this capacity he attended King William in all his campaigns abroad (cf. correspondence, Hist. MSS. Comm. 12th Rep. App. pt. viii. p. 53). On 18 May 1718 he was appointed secretary at war, and he held that office until the 24th of the following December. Subsequently he became registrar-general of the shipping. He died at Rotterdam on 13 Sept. 1736. He married a Miss Law, and had one son, Robert.
[Carstares State Papers; London Mag. 1736, p. 581; Gent. Mag. 1736, p. 620.]