William Erskine (historian)

He was born at Argyle Square in Edinburgh[1] the son of David Erskine, a lawyer and Clerk to the Signet, and his wife Jean Melvin.

He attended the High School, then the University of Edinburgh, before being apprenticed to James Dundas, a writer to the signet.

[2] He went to Bombay (now Mumbai) at the invitation of Sir James Mackintosh in 1804 where he was master in equity in the recorder's court.

Another daughter, Mary, was head nurse in the Naval Hospital at Therapia during the Crimean War, and looked after Florence Nightingale while she recovered from illness.

[3] He is buried with his family on the lower south terrace of the churchyard of St John's, Edinburgh.