Spanish and Russian Service
He then passed some time at Paris and Madrid in obscurity and poverty, but eventually obtained a colonelcy in the Spanish army, and, it is said, took part in the Siege of Gibraltar (1726-1727).
Finding his Protestantism a barrier to promotion, he obtained from the King of Spain a recommendation to Peter II of Russia, from whom he received (1728) the command of a regiment of the guards. He displayed in numerous campaigns the calm, intelligent and watchful valour which was his chief characteristic, obtaining the rank of general of infantry and the reputation of being one of the ablest officers in Russian service as well as a capable and liberal civil administrator. He was also one of the first Freemasons active in Russia.
In the Russo-Swedish War (1741–1743), Keith was briefly de facto Vice-Roy of Finland, where he met the love of his life, a prisoner of war many years his junior named Eva Merthen.
Read more about this topic: James Francis Edward Keith
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