Sir James St.Clair Erskine was born in 1762. He was educated at Edinburgh Academy before entering the army. In 1782 he was appointed Aide-de-Camp to the Viceroy of Ireland, and the same year he was elected as MP for Castle Rising, and then for Morpeth in 1784. In 1796 he was elected MP for Kirkcaldy burghs. In politics he was involved in the management of the impeachment of Warren Hastings and he also voted against Pitt. In the army he saw service not only in Ireland but also in the Mediterranean, the Iberian Peninsula, Denmark, and in the Walcheren. During Wellington's administration, Rosslyn was Lord Privy Seal and a member of the Privy Council. He was Lord President of the Council. The Earl had been a general officer, Colonel of the 9th Regiment of Dragoons, and a Knight Grand Cross of the Bath. Sir James St.Clair Erskine, 2nd Earl of Rosslyn, died on 18 January 1837 at Dysart House, Fife.
From the guide to the Letters of Sir James St.Clair Erskine, 2nd Earl of Rosslyn (1762-1837), 1815-1836, (Edinburgh University Library)
