| Sir James Erskine | |
|---|---|
| Born | 2 December 1838 |
| Died | 25 July 1911 Venlaw, Peeblesshire |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/branch | Royal Navy |
| Years of service | 1852 - 1908 |
| Rank | Admiral of the Fleet |
| Commands held | HMS Boadicea Australia Station North America and West Indies Station |
| Awards | Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath |
Admiral of the Fleet Sir James Elphinstone Erskine KCB, DL, JP (2 December 1838 – 25 July 1911) was a Royal Navy officer who went on to be Commander-in-Chief, North America and West Indies Station.
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A member of Clan Erskine, Erskine was the son of James Erskine by Mary Eliza, daughter of Lieutenant-General Christopher Fagan. He was a descendant of the noted 18th-century jurist John Erskine of Carnock as well as the nephew of Admiral John Erskine and the younger brother of Sir David Erskine, Serjeant at Arms of the House of Commons.[1]
Erskine joined the Royal Navy in 1852.[2] He was given command of the corvette HMS Boadicea in 1878.[3] He became Private Secretary to the First Lord of the Admiralty in 1880 and went on to be Commodore on the Australia Station in 1882. He became Junior Naval Lord in 1886. In 1888 he was given command of the Coast of Ireland and in 1895 he became Commander-in-Chief, North America and West Indies Station. Promoted admiral in 1897, he became First and Principal Aide-de-Camp to the King in 1901 and retired in 1908.[2]
Erskine married Margaret Eliza Constable, daughter of Reverend John Constable, in 1885. They had one son and a daughter. He died in July 1911, aged 72. Lady Erskine died in April 1939.[1]
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by John Wilson |
Commander-in-Chief, Australia Station 1882–1884 |
Succeeded by George Tryon |
| Preceded by William Codrington |
Junior Naval Lord 1886 |
Succeeded by Lord Charles Beresford |
| Preceded by Sir John Hopkins |
Commander-in-Chief, North America and West Indies Station 1895–1897 |
Succeeded by Sir John Fisher |
| Honorary titles | ||
| Preceded by Sir Michael Culme-Seymour |
First and Principal Naval Aide-de-Camp 1901–1902 |
Succeeded by Sir Edward Seymour |