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Robert Ferguson of Raith (1789-1852) was born into a wealthy family from Raith near Kirkcaldy, Fife. He travelled Europe in his youth collecting minerals and fossils. He along with Lord and Lady Elgin were held in Paris during the Napoleonic War. He began an affair with Mary Lady Elgin during this time. On his release he eventually became MP for Kirkcaldy then East Lothian and Lord Lieutenant of Fife. He married Lady Elgin, who was heir to the Nisbet fortunes, after her divorce and Lord Elgin successfully sued Ferguson for £10,000. Elgin needed the money to bring the Elgin Marbles to Britain.