Claudius James Erskine (20 May 1821–6 June 1893) was a British civil servant, judge, educator, and orientalist. Erskine was part of the Indian Civil Service, and worked for the Governor of Bombay, Sir George Arthur. Erskine was a scholar and translator, and he worked in the government's Persian department. He worked to improve education, and became the first "director of public instruction" in the west of India. He was also a judge and a legislator. He was the third vice-chancellor of the University of Calcutta.