Background
The eldest son of George Skene of Skene, George the younger was educated for the law, and became an advocate at the Scottish bar, although he never practised.
The eldest son of George Skene of Skene, George the younger was educated for the law, and became an advocate at the Scottish bar, although he never practised.
He subsequently entered the army, and rose to the rank of captain in the 81st Highlanders in 1781, the year he succeeded his father in the estate of Skene. Skene was a committed Whig and supporter of Charles James Fox. He briefly returned to Parliament, representing Elgin Burghs, from 1806 to 1807.
His "violent" Whiggery and alcoholism much impaired his political career, but he remained influential in the public affairs of Aberdeenshire, in part due to his pleasant manner.
At the end of his life he was living at 46 Moray Place in the fashionable Moray Estate on the west side of Edinburgh.
3rd United Kingdom Parliament. 16th Parliament of Great Britain]
He was elected as the Member of Parliament (Member of Parliament) for Aberdeenshire at a by-election in 1786, defeating the Tory James Ferguson, but declined to contest the latter for the seat in 1790.