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[Bookplate for David Stewart Erskine]

This bookplate consists of an escutcheon, quartered per cross, and contains an inescutcheon. The first quarter, azure (blue), contains three garbe, two over one. The second quarter is itself quartered per cross, first and fourth quarters, azure with an or (gold) riband and six cross crosslets fitchy sable (black) ; the second and third quarters are argent (silver), with a pale, sable. The third quarter of the escutcheon is also itself quartered per cross, first and fourth quarters, or, with a fess in checky (alternate squares of metal and fur), argent and azure ; the second and third quarters are azure, containing three garbe, two over one. The fourth quarter, argent, with six bars, gemelles (doubles), contains a lion rampant, sable and proper. The inescutcheon, gules (red) contains an eagle, displayed and proper, and a ray of sun issuing out of the dexter corner. Atop the escutcheon is the coronet of an earl, topped by a grated helmet (peer), dexter. Upon the helmet is a curved crest wreath and a dexter cubit arm holding a club. From either side of the crest flows elaborate mantling. The escutcheon is accompanied by two supporters. The dexter supporter is an ostrich, while the sinister supporter is a griffin. Below the escutcheon and the supporters is a banner containing the English motto.

Heraldry

Erskine, David Stewart

Still Image

David Stewart Erskine, 11th Earl of Buchan, Lord Cardross, was born on the 1st of June (this date has also been noted as June 12th ), 1742, O.S., and was the eldest surviving son of Henry David, the tenth earl, and Agnes, daughter of Sir James Stewart of Goodtrees, his majesty's solicitor-general for Scotland. He was educated under the care of James Buchanan, a relation of the poet and historian, and learned the elements of the mathematics, history, and politics from his father, who had been a scholar of the celebrated Colin Maclaurin. He attended the University of Glasgow. Another source states that he studied at the He studied at St. Andrews University and Edinburgh University. On the completion of his education, David Stewart Erskine entered the army, but never rose higher than the rank of lieutenant. Forsaking the military life, he went to London, to pursue the study of diplomacy under Lord Chatham ; and, while there, was elected a fellow of the royal and antiquarian societies. In the following year, 1766, he was appointed secretary to the British embassy in Spain ; but his father having died thirteen months afterwards, he returned to Scotland, determined to devote the remainder of his life to the cultivation of literature and the encouragement of literary men. Lord Buchan's favourite study was the history, literature, and antiquities of his native country. At a meeting, on the November 28, 1780, it was determined, that upon the 18th of December a Society of Scottish Antiquaries should be formed. The Earl of Buchan served as the first of five vice-presidents. In the same year his lordship retired from Edinburgh to reside at Dryburgh abbey on account of his health. His correspondents included Horace Walpole, and he produced an Essay on the Lives of Fletcher of Saltoun and the Poet Thomson (1792) and other writings. He died at his residence at Dryburgh (near Dryburgh Abbey, in the Scottish Borders) in April 1829, leaving no legitimate children, and the earldom passed to his nephew Henry. A number of works by David Stewart Erskine, 11th Earl of Buchan can be found in the UBC Library Catalogue.
References:
1) Information on David Stewart Erskine, 11th Earl of Buchan, found at on ElectricScotland.com: http://www.electricscotland.com/history/other/erskine_davids.htm
2) Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Erskine,_11th_Earl_of_Buchan Image upgraded Dec. 2013.

RBSC Bookplates

2007

Images provided for research and reference use only. Permission to publish, copy, or otherwise use these images must be obtained from Rare Books and Special Collections: http://rbsc.library.ubc.ca

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