Charles Erskine

Charles Erskine (13 February 1739 – 20 March 1811) was an Italian-Scottish papal diplomat and cardinal.

Biography

He was the son of Colin Erskine, youngest son to Alexander Erskine of Cambo and maternal grandson of Alexander Erskine, 3rd Earl of Kellie, by his marriage to Agatha Gigli of the noble family of Gigli of Anagni. He was educated by Cardinal Henry, Duke of York, his 7th cousin 1x removed, at the Scots College, Rome, and was afterwards a successful advocate, becoming a Doctor of Laws in 1770.

Pope Pius VI made him pro (pro tem)-Auditor and Promoter of the Faith in 1782, also a domestic prelate, canon of St. Peter's Basilica, and Dean of the college of consistorial advocates. He was installed as a subdeacon on 28 August 1783.

On the French invasion of Rome in 1808, Erskine was made pro-Secretary of Briefs, and was confined in the Quirinal with the pope. When Pope Pius VII was taken prisoner Erskine was allowed to go free, but his property was now lost and he would have been reduced to poverty if his Protestant relations in Scotland had not granted him an allowance. In 1809, Napoleon ordered him to Paris and though ill he was forced from Rome in January 1810.

Shortly after his arrival in Paris, Erskine fell into a gradual decline and soon died. He was buried in the Church of Saint-Genevieve, now the Panthéon.