David Steuart Erskine, 11th. Earl of Buchan : a study of his life and correspondence
Abstract
[From the Prefatory note]. All the biographical accounts of David Steuart
Erskine, 11th Earl of Buchan, are slight, and often very
unsympathetic. Most have relied for factual information
on his obituary, published in volume 99 of The Gentleman’s
Magazine.
Malicious and distorted comments, particularly
by Sir Walter Scott, have been responsible for the growth
of a legend about Buchan’s eccentricity, although the
charge of absurd conduct was lodged against him in his
own lifetime. It is interesting to note that a tradesman in Galashiels, near Buchan’s former residence at
Dryburgh Abbey, was found to talk about Buchan’s patriotism,
but at much greater length about his oddities, as recently
as 1962.
Those who could have given posterity a fair
assessment of Buchan did not do so, and the way was left
open for those who saw him only as vain and self-seeking.
He was unlucky in living in the neighbourhood of Scott’s
house, Abbotsford, and because of this he has never had
his due, even in the Border Country where he spent almost
half his life. The cult of Scott flourishes there, but
to Buchan there is no memorial. Whereas Abbotsford is
much sought after, and is still in the possession of Scott’s
descendants, Dryburgh Abbey passed from Buchan’s family and was given to the nation. Scott would probably have been
amused had he known that the time would come when visitors
to the Abbey would seek out his grave whilst that of
Buchan goes unnoticed.
Type
Thesis, PhD Doctor of Philosophy
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