[4] A member of Marylebone Cricket Club, Montrose made a single first-class appearance for an All-England team against Hampshire in 1828.

When the Earl of Derby became Prime Minister in February 1852, Montrose was appointed Lord Steward of the Household,[9] a post he retained until the government fell in December of the same year.

[3] Apart from his political career Montrose served as Chancellor of the University of Glasgow between 1837 and 1874 (succeeding his father)[3] and as Lord Lieutenant of Stirlingshire between 1843 and 1874.

Caroline Agnes Horsley-Beresford (1818–1894), daughter of John Beresford, 2nd Baron Decies and grand-niece of the 1st Marquess of Waterford.

[2][13][14] By his wife he had issue including:[15] He died at Cannes in December 1874, aged 75, and was succeeded in the dukedom by his son, Douglas Graham, 5th Duke of Montrose (1852–1925).