Erskine, John

▪ American musician and author

born Oct. 5, 1879, New York City

died June 2, 1951, New York City

      U.S. educator, musician, and novelist noted for energetic, skilled work in several different fields.

      Erskine received his Ph.D. from Columbia University in 1903 and taught there from 1909 to 1937, earning a reputation as a learned, witty teacher and lecturer specializing in Elizabethan literature.

      In 1925, when Erskine was in his 40s, his first novel was published. Soon after that, he appeared as a piano soloist for the New York Philharmonic, beginning a distinguished career as a concert pianist. He also served as president of the Juilliard School of Music, director of the Juilliard Musical Foundation, and director of the Metropolitan Opera Association.

      Erskine wrote more than 45 books. He was particularly successful with his early satirical novels, which are legends retold with updated views on morality and society. These works include The Private Life of Helen of Troy (1925) and Adam and Eve (1927), the story of how Adam adjusts to his newfound social life with two women. Erskine also co-edited the Cambridge History of American Literature, 3 vol. (1917–19). He described various facets of his life in The Memory of Certain Persons (1947), My Life as a Teacher (1948), and My Life in Music (1950).

▪ Scottish religious leader [1509-91]

born 1509, Dun, near Montrose, Scot.

died March 12 or June 17, 1591

      Scottish lord of Dun and Calvinist Reformer.

      Erskine came of a wealthy and powerful family. His grandfather, father, and two other near relatives were killed at the Battle of Flodden in 1513. He studied at King's College, Aberdeen, and traveled for a number of years in Europe. Although a layman, he played a prominent part in the ecclesiastical history of Scotland. He was a friend of John Knox, George Wishart, and other Scottish Reformers but was less extreme in his views than some. He was one of the principals in the negotiations between the Reformers and Mary Stuart, the Roman Catholic queen of Scotland (reigned 1542–67). His wealth and influence made him important to both sides. In 1560 the Reformed church appointed him superintendent for the districts of Angus and Mearns. He was moderator of several church assemblies and helped formulate the Church of Scotland's Presbyterian doctrine and government in the Second Book of Discipline (1578). In 1579 he was named to the king's council.

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