Robinson Elsdale (1744–1783), was an Englishprivateer and autobiographer.
He was the son of Samuel Elsdale (1704–1788) and Mary Elsdale, ofSurfleet,Lincolnshire. He was baptised on 25 December 1744 at Surfleet. His sister Mary (1739–1772) was the mother ofJohn Molson who founded theMolson Brewery.
Elsdale entered theRoyal Navy as amidshipman, but left early by reason of the slowness of promotion, and served in variousprivateers cruising against the French, chiefly off the coast ofHispaniola and the west coast of Africa, between 1762 and 1779, when he retired.
For the benefit of his wife he wrote an account of some of the most exciting adventures and experiences which he had met with during his sea life. Those episodes in a life of adventure are told in a fresh, simple, and lively style, and abound in hair-breadth escapes and romantic incidents. The manuscript fell into the hands ofCaptain Marryat, and was freely used by him in the earlier chapters ofThe Privateersman (1846), also known asExtracts from the Log of a Privateersman One Hundred Years Ago.
After his retirement from active service Elsdale lived quietly on an estate at Surfleet which had been in his family for many generations. He died on 15 October 1783.
Elsdale married on 31 March 1779 Miss Ann Gibbons, a lady of great beauty and intelligence, by whom he had two sons, Samuel and Robinson.
Samuel Elsdale was educated atLincoln College, Oxford, graduating B.A. in 1803, M.A. 1809, took holy orders and a fellowship, and became the master ofMoulton Grammar School, Lincolnshire, was a frequent contributor to magazines, and the author of a volume of sacred poetry entitledDeath, Judgment, Heaven, and Hell; a Poem, with Hymns and other Poems, 1812, 8vo; 3rd ed. 1813. He died on 13 July 1827.
Robinson Elsdale junior (1783–1850) was educated atUppingham School andCorpus Christi College, Oxford; he took holy orders and a fellowship and became the High Master ofManchester Grammar School.
This article incorporates text from a publication now in thepublic domain: "Elsdale, Robinson".Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900.
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