Thomas Erskine, Lord Erskine (1705 – 16 March 1766) was a Scottish 18th century politician. He was the son of John Erskine, 6th Earl of Mar. He could not inherit the title of Earl of Mar due to the Writ of Attainder for treason passed against his father in 1716 for his role in the First Jacobite Rebellion (1715). He had a home in Broughton, Gayfield House, purchased in 1765 shortly before his death for £2,000. The house is still extant.

Parliamentary Career

He served as Member of Parliament for Stirling from 1728 to 1734. He was returned as Member of Parliament for Stirlingshire for the year of 1747 only. He was then elected as MP for Clackmannanshire from 1747 to 1754.

Freemason

Thomas, Lord Erskine, son of John, 6th and 23rd Earl of Mar was initiated in Lodge Kilwinning Scots Arms, Edinburgh, No.3, in 1736. His name is second on the list of registrations in

Grand Lodge A Grand Lodge, also called Grand Orient, Obedience, or by another similar title, is a name for the overarching governing body of a fraternal or other similarly organized group in a given area, usually a city, state, or country. In Freemasonry A ...

made by Kilwinning Scots Arms in 1739. This Lodge had large military personnel and is now defunct. Lord Erskine, being under the shadow of his father's attainder, and being denied succession to the title of Earl of Mar, led the quiet life of a country gentleman and had more time to devote himself to the study of Freemasonry. He was elected Grand Master Mason of Scotland in 1749. This undoubtedly led to a quickening of interest in the Craft in Alloa. Thereafter stray names of Alloa men begin to appear in the minutes of the Lodge of Stirling. Within five years a Depute Lodge was regularly meeting in Alloa.

Marriage

On 1 October 1741, he married Charlotte Hope, daughter of the

Charles Hope, 1st Earl of Hopetoun Charles Hope, 1st Earl of Hopetoun, Order of the Thistle, KT, Privy Council, PC (1681 – 26 February 1742) was a Scotland, Scottish nobleman. Early life He was the son of John Hope of Hopetoun by a daughter of the John Hamilton, 4th Earl of Had ...

. He died without issue.

Notes

1705 births 1766 deaths British courtesy barons and lords of Parliament Heirs apparent who never acceded Members of the Parliament of Great Britain for Scottish constituencies British MPs 1727–1734 British MPs 1741–1747 British MPs 1747–1754 Dukes of Mar {{Scotland-noble-stub