James Erskine (Royal Navy officer)

Admiral of the Fleet Sir James Elphinstone Erskine KCB, DL, JP (2 December 1838 – 25 July 1911) was a Royal Navy officer who went on to be Commander-in-Chief, North America and West Indies Station.

Background
A member of Clan Erskine, Erskine was the son of James Erskine by Mary Eliza, daughter of Lieutenant-General Christopher Fagan. He was a descendant of the noted 18th-century jurist John Erskine of Carnock as well as the nephew of Admiral John Erskine and the younger brother of Sir David Erskine, Serjeant at Arms of the House of Commons.

Naval career
Erskine joined the Royal Navy in 1852. He was given command of the corvette HMS Boadicea in 1878. He became Private Secretary to the First Lord of the Admiralty in 1880 and went on to be Commodore on the Australia Station in 1882. He became Junior Naval Lord in 1886. In 1888 he was given command of the Coast of Ireland and in 1895 he became Commander-in-Chief, North America and West Indies Station. Promoted admiral in 1897, he became First and Principal Naval Aide-de-Camp to the King in April 1901 and retired in 1908.

Family
Erskine married Margaret Eliza Constable, daughter of Reverend John Constable, in 1885. They had one son and a daughter. He died in July 1911, aged 72. Lady Erskine died in April 1939.