Erskine
Erskine is a first-name that has enjoyed uncommon popularity in the Birmingham area, partly due to the influence of engineer, industrialist and philanthropist Erskine Ramsay.
Noting the number of young boys who were named "Erskine" in his honor, Ramsay established $100 savings accounts for each of them at the Bank of Ensley in 1920 and 1921. Though he did not continue the practice, he always took an interest in the successes of his namesakes and sometimes made individual gifts. The publicity caused him irritation as he continued receiving letters, some dishonest, asking for money after the birth of another Erskine. When the bank failed in 1930 those deposits were lost.
Among the more than a hundred young Erskines of Birmingham, football player and coach Erskine Walker and trumpeter Erskine Hawkins achieved the greatest fame. Ramsay and Hawkins corresponded more than once, as the young musician strove to live up to the name his mother had given him.
Erskines
- Erskine Ramsay (1864-1953), mining engineer, industrialist and philanthropist
- Erskine Hawkins (1914-1993), musician and bandleader
- Erskine Russell (1926-2006), football coach
- Erskine Brown, public health inspector
- Erskine Bonds, postmaster
- Erskine Caldwell, used car dealer
- Erskine Davis, Brighton mayoral candidate
- Erskine Faush, minister and radio executive
- Erskine Faush Jr, radio executive
- Erskine Lewis, deacon
- Erskine Simpson, barber
- Erskine Walker, football coach