Biography

Thomas Alexander Erskine. (1732-1781) (aka. 6th Earl of Kellie)

6th Earl of Kellie, styled Viscount Fentoun until 1756. Son of Alexander Erskine (d. 1756), 5th Earl of Kellie, and Janet Pitcairn (d. 1775). Brother of Elizabeth, Anne, Jenny, Archibald and Andrew Erskine.

Erskine was a composer of some fame in his own time, as well as being an able violinist who directed the concerts in Saint Cecillia's Hall in Niddry's Wynd, Edinburgh in the 1760s. Grand Master of the masonic Grand Lodge of Scotland (1763-65).

He died in Brussels on October 9th, 1781 and was succeeded as Earl of Kellie by his brother Archibald.

Life with James Boswell:

Boswell borrowed five guineas from Erskine on October 20, 1762. On May 26, 1763, Boswell took him on a visit to Lord Eglinton's in London. They knew each other through Thomas Alexander's brother Andrew.

External links:

• Erskine family tree - from Stirnet
• HOASM: Thomas Alexander Erskine

Literature:

Most of Erskine's musical works seems to have been lost, but some 1839 editions of Minuets & Songs, Composed by the Right Honourable Thomas Earl of Kelly are sometimes available from the Abebooks used books search engine, as is his Trio Sonata in F for 2 Violins & Continuo in a 1991 PB edition.

This article was last updated at April 10 2008 12:57:58 CET

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