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Erskine, the Hon. Thomas (post Baron Erskine).Adm. Fell.-Com. (age 25) at TRINITY, Jan. 13, 1776. [4th and youngest] s. of Henry David, 10th Earl of Buchan [and Agnes, dau. of Sir James Steuart, Bart., of Goodtrees]. B. Jan. 10, 1750, at Edinburgh.
Educated at the Grammar School and University of St Andrews.
Matric. Michs. 1776; M.A. 1778; Hon. LL.D. 1811.
Midshipman in H.M.S. Tartar, Mar. 1764, and for four years served in the West Indies; Acting Lieut., 1768.
After his father's death, 1767, used his small patrimony in buying a commission in the 2nd Batt. of the 1st Regt. of Foot; published anonymously a pamphlet entitled Abuses in the Army. With his Regt. for two years in Minorca.
Lieut., Apr. 21, 1773.
An interest in law (through a chance visit to an Assize Court) made him decide to go to the Bar. Student at Lincoln's Inn, Apr. 26, 1775; in order to diminish the then five years' period of studentship to three, he resolved to obtain an M.A. degree, and entered Trinity College.
Called to the Bar, July 3, 1778 and at once obtained a brief which brought him fame, his client being Thomas Baillie (for whom see D.N.B.), Lord Sandwich, 1st Lord of the Admiralty, 1778; in 1781 obtained a verdict of 'not guilty' for Lord George Gordon.
An intimate friend of Sheridan and Fox. Attorney-General to the Prince of Wales, 1783, but lost office by appearing on behalf of Thomas Paine, author of the Rights of Man, 1792.
M.P. for Portsmouth, 1783-4 and 1790-1806.
Procured acquittal for most of those prosecuted by the Government for conspiracy or constructive treason, 1783-4. Contributed by his speech on a libel case to the passing of Fox's Libel Act, 1792; successfully defended Stockdale on a charge of libelling the managers of Hastings's impeachment, 1789.
Supported the Peace of Amiens in Parliament.
Chancellor of the Duchy of Cornwall, 1802.
Lord Chancellor, 1806; created Baron Erskine, of Restormel Castle, Cornwall.
Presided at Lord Melville's trial, 1806.
Resigned Lord Chancellorship, 1807, and retired into private life.
Attempted farming on his estate in Sussex, which proved a failure.
Lived latterly at his house in Pimlico, and at a cottage, Buchan Hill, Sussex.
In later life, in spite of his earlier great professional earnings, fell into pecuniary straits, fearing a revolution, had invested large sums in U.S.A., but lost them.
K.T. Opposed the second reading of the Bill of pains and penalties against Queen Caroline, 1820, and protested against the Corn Law Bill, 1822.
Worked for the cause of Greek independence, 1822-3. A universal favourite and a proverbial wit.
Lord Russell said that he possessed 'the tongue of Cicero and the soul of Hampden,' but his vanity made him ridiculous and he was caricatured as 'Baron Ego of Eye,' and known as 'Clackmanan.' As an advocate and orator he was incomparable.
Married (1) Apr. 21, 1770, before coming of age, Frances, dau. of Daniel Moore, M.P. for Marlow; (2) Mary (or Sarah) Buck, Oct. 12, 1818, at Gretna Green.
Died Nov. 17, 1823, at Almondell, West Lothian, while on his way to stay with his brother, the Earl of Buchan.
Buried in the family burialplace at Uphall, Linlithgow.
Author, Armata, a political romance.
Father of David M. (1794), Henry D. (1806) and Thomas (1808).
(D.N.B.; Burke, P. and B.; G.E.C.; Foss, Judges of England; Scots Peerage, II. 277.)
Hon. Thomas (post Baron Erskine) ERSKINE
Approx. lifespan: 1750–1823
Fell.-Com. aged 25 Trinity College adm1776:01:13
[4th and youngest] s. of Henry Davi ERSKINE d, 10th Earl of Buchan [and Agnes STEUART dau. of Sir James STEUART, Bart. of Goodtrees, < >[[XXX],
b. Edinburgh, [Scotland], 1750:01:10
Educated at the Sch: Grammar School and University of St Andrews St Andrews, [Fife],
Matric 1776:10MT:
MA 1778
Hon.LLD 1811
Midshipman in H.M.S. Tartar 1764:03, and for four years served in the West Indies ,
Acting Lieutenant: 1768
After his father's death 1767, used his small patrimony in buying a commission in
2nd Battalion of the 1st Regiment of Foot
published anonymously a pamphlet entitled Abuses in Army . With his Regiment for two years Minorca, [Spain],
Lieutenant: 1773:04:21
An interest in law (through a chance visit to an Assize Court ) made him decide to go to the Bar.
Student at: : Lincoln's Inn 1775:04:26 ;in order to diminish the then five years' period of studentship to three, he resolved to obtain an
MA degree, and entered Trinity College
Called to the Bar: 1778:07:03
and at once obtained a brief which brought him fame, his client being Thomas Baillie (for whom see D.N.B. ), Lord Sandwich, 1st Lord of Admiralty 1778 ; in1781
obtained a verdict of 'not guilty' for Lord George Gordon.
An intimate friend of Sheridan and Fox.
Attorney-General to: : Prince of Wales 1783, but lost office by appearing on behalf of Thomas Paine, author of the Rights of Man 1792
M.P. for: : Portsmouth, [Hampshire], 1783-4, and 1790-1806
Procured acquittal for most of those prosecuted by Government for conspiracy or constructive treason 1783-84
Contributed by his speech on a libel case to the passing of Fox's Libel Act 1792
successfully defended Stockdale on a charge of libelling the managers of Hastings' impeachment 1789
Supported the Peace of Amiens in Parliament.
Chancellor of: : Duchy of Cornwall , 1802
Lord Chancellor: 1806
created Baron ERSKINE, of Restormel Castle, Cornwall ,
Presided at Lord Melville's trial 1806
Resigned Lord Chancellorship: 1807, and retired into private life.
Attempted farming on his estate Sussex , , which proved a failure.
latterly At his house Pimlico, [London], , and at a cottage, Buchan Hill, Sussex ,
In later life, in spite of his earlier great professional earnings, fell into pecuniary straits, fearing a revolution, had invested large sums USA , , but lost them.
K.T.
Opposed the second reading of the Bill of pains and penalties against Queen Caroline 1820, and protested against the Corn Law Bill 1822
Worked for the cause of Greek independence 1822-23
A universal favourite and a proverbial wit. Lord Russell said that he possessed 'the tongue of Cicero and the soul of Hampden,' but his vanity made him ridiculous and he was caricatured as 'Baron Ego of Eye,' and known as 'Clackmanan.' As an
Advocate: and orator he was incomparable.
m. (1) 1770:04:21, before coming of age, Frances MOORE dau. of Daniel MOORE M.P. for: : Marlow, Buckinghamshire ,
m. (2) Mary (or Sarah) Buck 1818:10:12, at Gretna Green, [Dumfries-shire],
d. 1823:11:17
at Almondell, West Lothian , , while on his way to stay with his brother, the Earl of Buchan.
bur. in the family burialplace Uphall, Linlithgow, [West Lothian],
Publ.: Armata, a political romance.
father of David M. ERSKINE (1794), Henry D. (1806) and Thomas (1808)
( D.N.B. ; Burke, P. and B.; G.E.C. ; Foss, Judges of England; Scots Peerage, II. 277)
[add:]Engraving by Bird from a portrait by Hoppner: CAS: G.52[:add]

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