ELGIN AND KINCARDINE, EARLS OF. THOMAS BRUCE, 7th earl of Elgin (1766-1841), British diplomatist and art collector, was born on July 20, 1766, and in 1771 succeeded his brother in the Scottish peerage as the 7th earl of Elgin (cr. 1633), and filth of Kincardine (cr. 1647). In 1792 he was ap pointed envoy at Brussels, and in 1795 envoy extraordinary at Berlin ; and from 1799 to 1802 he was envoy extraordinary at the Porte. During his stay at Constantinople he formed the purpose of removing from Athens the celebrated sculptures now known as the Elgin Marbles. His action was censured by some as van dalism, and doubts were also expressed as to the artistic value of many of the marbles ; but he vindicated himself in a pamphlet published in 181o, and entitled Memorandum on the Subject of the Earl of Elgin's Pursuits in Greece. In 1816 the collection was purchased by the nation for £36,000, and placed in the British Museum, the outlay incurred by Lord Elgin having been more than £50,000. Lord Elgin was a Scottish representative peer for 5o years. He died at Paris on Nov. 14, 1841.