The eldest son of Archibald Campbell, 9th Earl of Argyll and Mary Stuart, daughter of James Stuart, 4th Earl of Moray, Campbell sought to recover his father's estates (by gaining King James VII's favour).

In spite of the attainder, he was admitted in 1689 to the Convention of the Estates of Scotland as earl of Argyll, and he was deputed, with Sir James Montgomery and Sir John Dalrymple, to present the crown to William in its name, and to tender him the coronation oath.

He was William's chief Scottish advisor, and was colonel-in-chief of the Earl of Argyll's Regiment of Foot, that was involved in the 1692 massacre of the MacDonalds of Glen Coe, but took no part in any of its field operations.

Elizabeth's stepfather John Maitland, 1st Duke of Lauderdale was a dominant figure in Scottish politics of the era.

They had four children, born at Ham House outside London: The 1st Duke of Argyll is buried at Kilmun Parish Church.