Selkirk, Thomas Douglas, Earl of, 1771-1820

Born at St. Mary's Isle, Scotland, June 20, 1771; studied at Edinburgh; succeeded his father as Earl of Selkirk, 1799; became interested in the Highlanders and convinced of necessity for emigration; settled a colony of eight hundred on Prince Edward Island, 1803, and started settlement of Baldoon in Upper Canada near Detroit. Returned home, 1804; chosen representative peer in 1806 and 1807; was an active Whig. published pamphlets on Army and Parliamentary reform. In 1807 he was appointed lord-lieutenant of stewartry of Kirkcudbright. He formed another colony on Red River (now Winnipeg), in 1811-1812; traveled in Canada, 1815-1819, to handle his affairs. Returned to England in broken health and went to Pau, France, where he died on April 8, 1820. He married on November 24, 1807, Jean Wedderburn-Colvile and had three children. (From D.N.B., v. 15, 250-53--art. "Douglas" ; Appleton--art. "Selkirk." ; Scots Peerage, ed. Balfour, 1910, VII, 520-25) (blue index cards)

From the description of Thomas Douglas Selkirk correspondence, 1815 (Detroit Public Library). WorldCat record id: 401768155

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