Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Home, William
HOME, WILLIAM, eighth Earl of Home (d. 1761), second son of Alexander, seventh earl, by his wife, Lady Anne, second daughter of William Ker, second marquis of Lothian, succeeded his father in 1720. He obtained a cornet's commission in the second regiment of dragoon guards 13 May 1735, and a troop in Churchill's dragoons in May 1740. In July 1743 he received a captain's commission in the third regiment of dragoon guards, with which he served on the continent. Being in Scotland at the time of the rebellion in 1745, he offered his services to Sir John Cope after he landed at Dunbar, only bringing with him two body servants. Along with the Earl of Loudon he was sent forward by Cope to mark out a camp near Musselburgh, but they returned soon after with the news that the highland army were in full march towards them. At the battle of Prestonpans (21 Sept. 1745), Home, with Loudon, assisted Cope in his vain attempt to rally the dragoons. He was afterwards appointed to the command of the Glasgow volunteer regiment of six hundred foot, which in December was sent to the defence of Stirling. In 1749 he was promoted major of the third regiment of foot-guards, in 1750 colonel of the 48th foot, and in 1752 colonel of the 29th foot. On 16 April 1757 he was made governor of Gibraltar. His term of office was uneventful. He died at Gibraltar 28 April 1761, being then a lieutenant-general of the army. At the election of 1741, and on several subsequent occasions, he was chosen a representative peer of Scotland. He was married, 25 Dec. 1742, to Mrs. Laws of Albemarle Street, London, but had no issue, and was succeeded by his brother Alexander, ninth earl.
[Home's and Chambers's Histories of the Rebellion; Douglas's Scottish Peerage (Wood), i. 739; Scots Mag. 1761, xxiii. 279.]