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Sir Henry Erskine, 5th Baronet

1710 – 1765

Scottish soldier and politician

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About Sir Henry Erskine, 5th Baronet

Lived 1710 – 1765 (aged 54–55). Sir Henry Erskine, 5th Baronet was a politician.

Sir Henry Erskine, 5th Baronet (23 Dec 1710 – 7 August 1765) was a Scottish soldier and politician.

He was a younger son of Sir John Erskine, 3rd Baronet, M.P. of Alva, Clackmannanshire, and Catherine Sinclair, was probably educated at Eton College and entered Lincoln's Inn to study law in 1728. However, instead of a legal career he joined the Army and rose to the rank of Lieutenant-General in 1765.

He succeeded to the baronetcy and family estate when his elder brother Charles was killed in action at the Battle of Lauffeld in 1747. Erskine then served as Member of Parliament (MP) for Ayr Burghs 1749–1754 and for Anstruther Easter Burghs 1754–1765.

He died in 1765. He had married Janet, the daughter of Peter Wedderburn, Lord Chesterhall, and with her had two sons and a daughter. He was succeeded by his eldest son James, who later became the 2nd Earl of Rosslyn.

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Important facts

Born
1710
Birth century
Occupation
Education
Eton College
Positions held
Member of the 11th Parliament of Great Britain, Member of the 10th Parliament of Great Britain, Member of the 12th Parliament of Great Britain
Also known as
Harry Erskine, Henry Erskine of Alva and Cambuskenneth, Henry Erskine

People in Sir Henry Erskine, 5th Baronet's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Sir Henry Erskine, 5th Baronet's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Sir Henry Erskine, 5th Baronet?

Scottish soldier and politician

When was Sir Henry Erskine, 5th Baronet born?

Sir Henry Erskine, 5th Baronet was born in 1710.

When did Sir Henry Erskine, 5th Baronet die?

Sir Henry Erskine, 5th Baronet died on 9 August 1765.

What was Sir Henry Erskine, 5th Baronet's occupation?

Sir Henry Erskine, 5th Baronet was a politician.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Sir Henry Erskine, 5th Baronet

· Wikidata: Q1837586

· DBpedia: Sir Henry Erskine, 5th Baronet

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Sir Henry Erskine, 5th Baronet. https://biography.guide/sir-henry-erskine-5th-baronet/

MLA: "Sir Henry Erskine, 5th Baronet." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/sir-henry-erskine-5th-baronet/.

Chicago: "Sir Henry Erskine, 5th Baronet." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/sir-henry-erskine-5th-baronet/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-23 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

Portrait: Wikimedia Commons · author & licence

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