David Erskine, Lord Dun
David Erskine, Lord Dun, 13th Laird of Dun, was a Scottish advocate, judge and Commissioner to the Parliament of Scotland.
Early life
Erskine was born in 1670 near Montrose, in Angus. He was the third, but second surviving, son of David Erskine of Dun and Margert Ramsay. His mother, a daughter of Sir James Lumsden of Innergellie, was a widow of Thomas Ramsay of Bamff, Perthshire. His father succeeded his elder brother, Sir Alexander Erskine, as the Laird of Dun. His elder brother was James Erskine, an MP for Aberdeen Burghs, whom his father disinherited in favour of David. His younger brother was Alexander Erskine, of Balhall.He studied at the universities of St. Andrews and Paris.
Career
Erskine became a member of the Faculty of Advocates on 19 November 1698, and soon rose to eminence. He represented Forfarshire at the convention of estates, 1689, and in the Parliaments of 1690, 1691, 1693, 1695, and 1696, and opposed the union.In November 1710 he took his seat as an ordinary lord by the title of Lord Dun, and on 13 April 1714 was also appointed a Lord of Justiciary. He resigned his justiciary gown in 1744 and his office as an ordinary lord in 1753.
He is author of a little volume entitled 'Lord Dun's Friendly and Familiar Advices adapted to the various Stations and Conditions of Life,’ 12mo, Edinburgh, 1754. His arguments on the doctrine of passive obedience were assailed the same year by Dr. Robert Wallace, minister at Moffat, who characterises Erskine as 'a venerable old man, of very great experience, and greatly distinguished for piety.'
Personal life
In 1707, Erskine was married to Magdalene Riddell, daughter and heiress of John Riddell of Haining in Selkirk, a Commissioner for Selkirkshire in the Parliament of Scotland, who married James Ogilvy, Lord Ogilvy, the eldest son and heir apparent of David Ogilvy, 3rd Earl of Airlie and Lady Grizel Lyon. After his death, she married Sir Alexander Macdonald, 7th Baronet in 1733. After her death, he married Lady Margaret Montgomerie, a daughter of Alexander Montgomerie, 9th Earl of Eglinton, and Susanna Kennedy.- John Erskine of Dun, who married Margaret Inglis, a daughter of Sir John Inglis, 2nd Baronet of Crammond.