Andrew Erskine (1739-1793) was a Scottish poet and composer.[1]
Andrew Erskine (1739-1793), Two Odes: To Indolence, and To Impudence (1769). Gale Ecco, 2018. Courtesy Amazon.com.
Life[]
Erskine was the youngest son of Alexander Erskine, the 5th earl of Kellie.[2]
The son was a lieutenant in the 71st Regiment of Foot, and later joining the 24th Regiment and rising to captain. For most of his adult life he lived with his sister, Elizabeth, at Drumsheugh, Edinburgh. He was a correspondent of James Boswell's, and an acquaintance of Robert Burns.[2]
He contributed to A Collection of Original Poems by the Rev. Mr. Blacklock and other Scotch Gentlemen (1760).[1]
Charles Rogers wrote in Boswelliana that Erskine:
- was an extraordinary pedestrian, and walked nearly every morning [from Drumsheugh] to Queensferry, about ten miles distant, where he breakfasted at Hall's Inn. He dispensed with attendance, and when he had finished his repast, left payment under a plate. He was of a tall, portly form, and to the last wore gaiters and a flapped vest. Though satirical with his pen, he was genial and humorous in conversation. He was an early admirer and occasional correspondent of the poet [Robert] Burns. [...] His habits were regular, but he indulged occasionally at cards, and was partial to the game of whist.[2]
Often in financial difficulties, after a serious loss at cards he committed suicide by drowning in the Forth.[2]
Publications[]
Poetry[]
- B***, J***: An elegy on the death of an amiable young lady. Edinburgh: A. Donaldson & J. Reid, for Alex. Donaldson, 1761.
- Two Odes: To indolence, and To impudence. London: R. & J. Dodsley, 1762.
- Town Eclogues. London: T. Cadell / Kincaid & Creech, 1773.
Play[]
- She's Not Him, and He's Not Her: A farce of two acts. Edinburgh: A. Donaldson & J. Reid, for Alexander Donaldson, 1764.
Non-fiction[]
- Critical Strictures on the New Tragedy of 'Elvira,' written by Mr. David Malloch. London: W. Flexney, 1763.
- To the Revolution Club. [Edinburgh?]: [1790?]
Letters[]
- Letters between the Honorable Andrew Erskine and James Boswell, esq. (with James Boswell). London: Samuel Chandler, for W. Flexney, 1763.
- also published in James Boswell, Boswell's Correspondence with the Honourable Andrew Erskine, and his Journal of a tour to Corsica. London: T.D. La Rue, 1879.
Edited[]
- A Collection of Original Poems: By the Rev. Mr Blacklock, and other Scotch gentlemen. Edinburgh: A. Donaldson, for R. & J. Dodsley / J. Richardson, London, 1760.
Except where noted, bibliographical information courtesy WorldCat.[3]
See also[]
References[]
Notes[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Andrew Erskine (1739-1793), English Poetry, 1579-1830, Center for Applied Technologies in the Humanities, Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University. Web, June 13, 2016.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Andrew Erskine, JamesBoswell.info. Web, June 13, 2016.
- ↑ Search results = au:Andrew Erskine, WorldCat, OCLC Online Computer Library Center Inc. Web, June 13, 2016.
External links[]
- Poems
- "How Sweet this lone Vale"
- Andrew Erskine (1739-1793) info & 12 poems at English Poetry, 1579-1830
- About
- Andrew Erskine at JamesBoswell.info
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