Erskine, JOHN, D.D.

Erskine, JOHN, D.D., son of the preceding, was born June 2, 1721. He studied at the university of Edinburgh, and, licensed to preach in 1743, was appointed minister successively of Kirkintilloch (1744), Culross (1753), New Greyfriars Church, Edinburgh (1758), and the collegiate charge of Old Greyfriars (1767), where he had for his colleague Dr Robertson. In 1766 the university of Glasgow conferred on him the honorary degree of D.D. In the General Assembly he was for many years the leader of the popular or evangelical party; and between him and Principal Robertson, the leader of the Moderate party, there was a courteous and honourable friendship. Erskine's twenty-five publications are of a high order of ability. They consist of essays, letters, sermons, dissertations, and pamphlets, &c., mainly of a religious character, even when dealing with the political American controversy, on which he wrote largely. He also edited a number of British editions of works of American divines. He died 19th January 1803. Sir Walter Scott, in Guy Mannering, describes his powers as a preacher. See Life by Sir H. Moncrieff Wellwood (1818).