John James Erskine

John James Erskine (1771-1833) was a British colonial administrator who served as a member of the governing council of Prince of Wales Island (Penang), Malaysia (1810-1826) and worked for the East India Company.

Mount Erskine in 1818, named after John James Erskine, colonial administrator in Penang.

Early life John James Erskine was born in Muthill, Perthshire, Scotland, second son of Reverend William Erskine, Episcopalian Minister and Helen Drummond. He joined the East India Company in London as a merchant sailing on East Indiamen between Europe and Asia as Mate.

Career At the age of 24 he was offered a job in the marine supplies section for the East India Company based on Prince of Wales Island. He arrived on 18 September 1805 with Philip Dundas, newly appointed governor and other members of the new Fourth Presidency of India, including Thomas Raffles, later founder of Singapore. although Bannerman later changed his mind.

He retired on 26 July 1826 and married Isabella Boyd on 6 July 1830. He died in 1833 aged 62 and was buried in Muthill Church.

Legacy Mount Erskine, the hilly area north-west of George Town, Penang, and the street leading to it bear his name.