Lord Robert Kerr facts for kids

Lord Robert Kerr (who died on April 16, 1746) was a Scottish nobleman. He was the second son of William Kerr, 3rd Marquess of Lothian. His family belonged to a group called Clan Kerr. During his life, his family's last name was often spelled 'Ker'.

A Young Nobleman's Journey

Lord Robert Kerr is believed to have traveled around Europe between 1732 and 1739. This kind of trip was called a grand tour. It was a common way for young noblemen to learn about art, culture, and history. During his travels, he found the only existing music score for a piece called "Il Gran Mogul concerto" by a famous composer named Vivaldi. Lord Robert Kerr himself enjoyed playing the flute.

Joining the Army

In 1739, Lord Robert Kerr joined the army. He became a Captain of the Grenadiers in a group called Barrell's Regiment.

The Battle of Culloden

Lord Robert Kerr fought in the Battle of Culloden on April 16, 1746. This was a very important battle in Scottish history. During the fight, he was reported to have faced a leading Highlander soldier. Sadly, he was killed in the battle, making him the only high-ranking government soldier to die that day.

Many stories about Culloden say that Major Gillies MacBean was the person who killed Lord Robert Kerr. Major MacBean was part of Lady Anne Mackintosh's regiment. This story is still a strong part of the history of Clan MacBean.

Lord Robert Kerr's great-uncle, General Lord Mark Kerr, also had a regiment at Culloden. It was called 'Kerr's (11th) Dragoons'. This shows that the Kerr family had a strong connection to the military.