James St Clair-Erskine, 2nd Earl of Rosslyn (1762-1837), General

Sitter in 13 portraits
Erskine joined the Army in around 1778, but the first part of his career was spent as a politician. He entered Parliament as an MP in 1782, and swiftly made a reputation for himself in the House of Commons as a forceful speaker in Opposition. From 1792, Erskine turned his attention more actively to soldiering. He served in the Mediterranean and went on to become commander-in-chief in the Mediterranean. Erskine (by now Lord Roskine) was sent on a mission to Lisbon in 1805 to report on whether the British should assist the Portuguese against Napoleon. In 1814, he was promoted general, and again devoted himself to politics, going on to serve as Lord Privy Seal and as Lord President of the Council.