Benedict Calvert, 4th Baron Baltimore facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Lord Baltimore
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Benedict Calvert, 4th Baron Baltimore
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| 10th Proprietary-Governor of Maryland | |
| In office 1684–1688 |
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| Preceded by | Charles Calvert, 3rd Baron Baltimore |
| Succeeded by | William Joseph |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 21 March 1679 England |
| Died | 16 April 1715 (aged 36) England |
| Spouse | Charlotte Lee, Lady Baltimore |
| Children | Charles Calvert, 5th Baron Baltimore Benedict Leonard Calvert Edward Henry Calvert Charlotte Calvert Jane Calvert Cecil Calvert |
| Parents | Charles Calvert, 3rd Baron Baltimore Jane Lowe |
| Occupation | Politician |
Benedict Leonard Calvert, 4th Baron Baltimore (born March 21, 1679 – died April 16, 1715) was an important English nobleman and politician. He was the second son of Charles Calvert, 3rd Baron Baltimore. Benedict became his father's main heir after his older brother Cecil passed away in 1681.
His father, the 3rd Lord Baltimore, was a strong Roman Catholic. Because of his faith, the family lost control of the Province of Maryland in 1688. This happened after the Glorious Revolution, when Protestant rulers William III and Mary II became the new monarchs in Britain.
Benedict Calvert worked very hard to get his family's control over Maryland back. He decided to change his religion from Roman Catholicism to the Church of England.
In February 1715, Benedict became the 4th Baron Baltimore when his father died. He quickly asked King George I to return Maryland to his family. However, Benedict died just two months later, at age 36. Soon after, the King gave control of Maryland back to Benedict's young son, Charles Calvert, 5th Baron Baltimore.
Contents
Early Life and Challenges
Benedict Calvert was named Governor of Maryland for his father from 1684 to 1688. He was only 5 years old at the time. This meant the job was mostly an honor. The real work of governing was done by his deputy, Henry Darnall.
Like his father, Benedict faced problems because he was Catholic. When he was a boy, he served as a cavalry officer. His commander, James Cecil, supported the Catholic King James II.
However, King James II was soon removed from power during the Glorious Revolution in 1688. Because of this, Benedict and his commander faced difficulties with the new Protestant rulers.
Even worse, the Calvert family lost their rule over Maryland. In 1688, Maryland became a Royal Colony, controlled by the King. This happened after a Protestant revolt known as the Protestant Revolution.
Benedict Calvert studied law in 1690. But his religion continued to be a barrier to his career. He went to live in France for 10 years.
Returning to England
In 1698, Benedict was allowed to return to England. On January 2, 1699, he married Lady Charlotte Lee. She was the daughter of the 1st Earl of Lichfield. Her mother was Lady Charlotte FitzRoy, who was a daughter of King Charles II.
Benedict and Charlotte had seven children. All of their children were raised in the Catholic faith. Their marriage was not very happy, and they separated in 1705.
Changing Faith and Regaining Maryland
Benedict Calvert believed that his family's Catholic faith was the main reason they lost Maryland. In late 1713, he began to explore changing his religion. He told Robert Harley, a powerful leader, that he wanted to become Protestant. He had been afraid to do so earlier because his father might stop supporting him.
So, in 1713, Benedict became an Anglican. He hoped this change would help him get his family's control over Maryland back. This was a big step, and it upset his father greatly. Benedict's father, Charles Calvert, 3rd Baron Baltimore, was a very religious Catholic. He was furious and stopped giving Benedict money. He also stopped paying for his grandchildren's education.
Luckily, Benedict was able to get some money from the Crown. Queen Anne gave him an allowance of £300 a year. She also agreed to his choice of John Hart as governor of Maryland. Hart agreed to share some of his earnings with Calvert.
Benedict's new religion quickly brought him political benefits. He was elected to the House of Commons in 1714. He served as a Member of Parliament for Harwich until 1715. He was not a very active member, though.
On August 1, 1714, Queen Anne died. This meant the Calverts had a new king, George I. They needed to convince him to return Maryland to their family.
Petition to King George I
On February 2, 1715, Benedict Calvert again declared his loyalty to the Anglican faith. He also showed his support for the new Protestant king, George I. Two weeks later, his father, the old Lord Baltimore, died at age 78. Benedict then became the 4th Baron Baltimore.
He immediately asked King George I to give Maryland back to his family. However, Benedict himself died before the King could decide. He passed away just two months after his father. Soon after, on May 15, 1715, the King returned control of Maryland to Benedict's son. This was the fifteen-year-old 5th Baron Baltimore.
Family Life
Benedict Calvert married Lady Charlotte Lee on January 2, 1699. She was the daughter of the Edward Lee, 1st Earl of Lichfield. Her mother, Lady Charlotte Fitzroy, was a daughter of Charles II of England.
Benedict and Charlotte had seven children:
- Charles Calvert, 5th Baron Baltimore (1699–1751): He became the 18th Proprietor Governor of Maryland.
- Edward Henry Calvert (1701–1730): He held important positions in Maryland.
- Benedict Leonard Calvert (1700–1732): He served as Governor of the Maryland colony from 1727 to 1731. He had poor health and died on his way back to England.
- Cecil Calvert (1702–1765)
- Charlotte Calvert (1702–1744): She married Thomas Brerewood.
- Jane Calvert (1703–1778): She married John Hyde and had many children.
- Barbara Calvert (1704–1704)
- Anne Calvert
Some of their descendants include the children of Robert E. Lee.
Legacy
Benedict Calvert made sure his son Charles was raised as a Protestant. In 1721, young Charles became an adult and took control of the Maryland colony. The Calvert family kept control of Maryland until 1776.
However, Charles Calvert, like his father, had to be an Anglican to keep his family's power in the province. The Calvert family had dreamed of Maryland being a safe place for Roman Catholics. But this dream ended. It took the American Revolution and the end of the Calvert government to bring religious freedom back to Maryland.
Benedict's portrait, along with those of other Barons Baltimore, is still displayed today. You can see them in the Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore. This city is named after his family.
Images for kids
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Benedict Calvert, 4th Baron Baltimore
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Henry Darnall
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Benedict Leonard Calvert, 4th Baron Baltimore
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Coat of Arms of the Barons Baltimore
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Benedict's devoutly Catholic father, Charles Calvert, 3rd Baron Baltimore, was furious at his son's conversion to Anglicanism.
