Only son of the late Samuel William Elphinstohe, Esq. a captain in the Russian navy, by Catherine, daughter of Admiral Kruse; and grandson of Captain John Elphinstone, R.N., Lieutenant-General, Vice-Admiral, and commander-in chief of the Russian fleet, in 1769.

This officer was made a lieutenant on the 9th June, 1807, and promoted from the Caledonia 120 (bearing the flag of Lord Exmouth, on the Mediterranean station) to his present rank, June 15th, 1814.