Personal data
Phillp Skene
Died June 22, 1788  

3rd of Pitlour, son of David Skene of Pitlour and Jean Douglas of Strathendry (d. 1783). Brother of General Robert Skene and Capt. David Skene. Cousin (on his mother's side) of philosopher and economist Adam Smith.

Philip Skene died unmarried, having achieved the rank of General, and was succeeded by his five years old nephew, David (1783-1803).1

Boswell breakfasted with Skene (then a Colonel, possibly of the 69th foot regiment) in London on March 15, 1763.

  • 1David was the son of Philip Skene's brother of the same name, who predeceased his older brother by only a few months. Their eldest brother, Robert, had died only the previous year. The younger David died while still a minor in Paris in 1803, and Pitlour succeeded to his paternal aunt, Helen Moncrieff (née Skene).
Boswell's London Journal 1762-1763

Unless otherwise noted, the source for a dated quotation of Boswell's is generally the corresponding volume of the Yale Trade Editions of Boswell's journals.