Robert St Clair-Erskine, 4th Earl of Rosslyn Passes Away

Today in Masonic History Robert St Clair-Erskine, 4th Earl of Rosslyn passes away in 1890.

Robert St Clair-Erskine, 4th Earl of Rosslyn was a Scottish peer.

Lord Rossyln was born on March 2nd, 1833. In 1866 he married Blanche Adeliza, the couple had five children. It should be noted that his wife out lived Erskine by 40 years. When she passed away in 1933, it was noted that she was the last of the great Victorian hostesses. The couple knew many of the prominent figures of the Victorian era including Benjamin Disraeli.

In 1866 Lord Rossyln succeeded his father as the Earl of Rossyln when his father passed away on June 16th. That same year he became Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms. The Corps was first formed under Henry VIII as a personal body guard to the Monarch. Henry VIII wanted the Corps made up of cadets from noble families. They would go with the King into battle and travel with the King as needed. The position now is more ceremonial and is filled by the Government Chief Whip in the House of Lords.

Lord Rossyln passed away on September 6th, 1890 just west of Rossyln Chapel.

Lord Rossyln joined Lodge Oswald of Dunnikier in 1867. In 1870 he became the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Scotland serving until 1873. He also served as Grand Master of the Order of the Temple, a masonic York Rite organization, from 1884 until 1890.

This article provided by Brother Eric C. Steele.