thomas douglas, 5th earl of selkirk was born on 20 june 1771, and in canada, he is most noted as the scottish patron who sponsored the settlement at the red river colony in manitoba (1811). this following a settlement scheme first tried in prince edward island (1803), and a second in upper canada (1804). the 5th earl of selkirk died on 8 april 1820, in pau, france, where he is buried.