Sir Erskine "William" Gladstone of Fasque and Balfour, 7th Baronet, (born 29 October 1925) is a Knight of the Garter, and was formerly an officer of the Royal Navy. Gladstone is the son of Sir Charles Gladstone, 6th Baronet, and a great-grandson of the former Prime Minister, William Ewart Gladstone. He was educated at Eton, and joined the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve in 1943 and saw action in World War II. Upon leaving the navy (with the rank of lieutenant), he received an Honours Degree in History at Christ Church, Oxford. He then entered the teaching profession, with positions at Shrewsbury and Eton, and he became Head Master of Lancing in 1961. He retired from the teaching profession in 1969.