James St Clair-Erskine, 2nd Earl of Rosslyn
(1762-1837), GeneralEarly Victorian Portraits Catalogue Entry
Sitter in 14 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.
The Trial of Queen Caroline 1820
by Sir George Hayter
oil on canvas, 1820-1823
NPG 999
'A puerile attack upon an old servant'
by James Sayers, published by Thomas Cornell
etching and aquatint, published 17 March 1787
NPG D12244
James St Clair-Erskine, 2nd Earl of Rosslyn
by James Sayers, published by James Bretherton
etching, published 31 March 1788
NPG D9933
by James Sayers
etching, 1788?
NPG D12245
by James Sayers, published by Thomas Cornell
soft-ground etching, published 11 April 1788
NPG D12247
James St Clair-Erskine, 2nd Earl of Rosslyn
by James Sayers, published by James Bretherton
etching, published 31 March 1788
NPG D16222
'The last scene of the managers farce'
by James Sayers, published by Hannah Humphrey
etching, published 8 May 1795
NPG D12249
'The master of the inn confers the order of knighthood on Don Quixotte'
by James Sayers
etching and aquatint, circa August 1803
NPG D9571
by John ('HB') Doyle, printed by Charles Etienne Pierre Motte, published by Thomas McLean
lithograph, published 30 July 1830
NPG D41008
by John ('HB') Doyle, published by Thomas McLean
lithograph, published 5 November 1830
NPG D41022
by John ('HB') Doyle, published by Thomas McLean
hand-coloured lithograph, published 5 November 1830
NPG D48835
by John ('HB') Doyle, printed by Alfred Ducôte, published by Thomas McLean
lithograph, published 22 May 1832
NPG D41136
A Great Actor Playing to Empty Benches
by John ('HB') Doyle, printed by Alfred Ducôte, published by Thomas McLean
lithograph, published 14 September 1832
NPG D41161
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