John Middleton (1678–1739)

Brigadier-General John Middleton (27 September 1678 – 4 May 1739) was a British politician. He served as a Member of Parliament (MP) from 1713 to 1739, although not continuously.

He was the sixth son of George Middleton DD, and grandson of Alexander Middleton (younger brother of John Middleton, 1st Earl of Middleton), both of whom served as Principal of King's College, Aberdeen. His younger brother Robert was father of Charles Middleton, 1st Baron Barham.

He obtained a commission in the Army in the reign of King William III, and was promoted to the rank of captain in 1706. He served in Spain in the War of the Spanish Succession, and also on board the fleet, where his company was employed as marines. He was many years an officer in the 25th Regiment of Foot, in which corps he rose to the rank of lieutenant-colonel, and he was promoted to the rank of colonel in 1711. He commanded the 25th Regiment in Scotland under the Duke of Argyll during the rebellion of the Earl of Mar, and in 1721 he was rewarded with the colonelcy of that corps. He commanded the 25th until 29 May 1732, when he was removed to the 13th Regiment of Foot. He was promoted to the rank of brigadier-general in 1735.

Middleton was first elected to Parliament in the general election on 18 September 1713 for the constituency of Aberdeen Burghs. He was not re-elected in the general election in February 1715, however, when Lord Grange stood down, Middleton was elected to Parliament in a by-election on 22 July 1715. In the next general election in April 1722, he was not elected. However, when the winner William Kerr stood down, Middleton was elected in the by-election on 25 October 1722. He remained Aberdeen Burghs' MP until his death in 1739.