David Montagu Erskine, 2nd Baron Erskine (12 August 1776 – 19 March 1855) was a British diplomat and politician.
He served as Member of Parliament for Portsmouth in 1806 before being appointed Minister to the United States. Erskine was recalled in 1809 due to his resolution of the Chesapeake–Leopard Affair and remained out of favor until 1824 when he inherited his father's title. He later served as Minister to Stuttgart and Munich before retiring in 1843. Erskine married three times, with his first wife, Frances Cadwalader, bearing twelve children. He died in 1855 and was succeeded by his eldest son, Thomas.
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Early life
Erskine was born on 12 August 1776 into Clan Erskine. He was the eldest son of Thomas Erskine, 1st Baron Erskine (himself a fourth son of Henry Erskine, 10th Earl of Buchan) and the former Frances Moore (a daughter of Daniel Moore).
He was educated at Winchester and Trinity College, Cambridge, matriculating in 1796. He was called to the Bar of Lincoln's Inn in 1802.
Career
Erskine did not practice law; instead he was elected as Member of Parliament for Portsmouth in 1806, in place of his father, who was appointed Lord Chancellor. At the request of Erskine's father to Charles James Fox, then Foreign Secretary, he was appointed Minister to the United States later that year.