Robert Hobart, 4th Earl of Buckinghamshire facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Right Honourable The Earl of Buckinghamshire PC
Secretary of State for War and the Colonies
In office 17 March 1801 – 12 May 1804
Monarch	George III
Prime Minister	Henry Addington
Preceded by	New office
Succeeded by	The Earl Camden
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
In office 23 June – 23 August 1812
Monarch	George III
Prime Minister	The Earl of Liverpool
Preceded by	Spencer Perceval
Succeeded by	Charles Bathurst
Personal details
Born	6 May 1760 (1760-05-06) Hampden House, Great Hampden
Died	4 February 1816 (1816-02-05) (aged 55) Hamilton Place, London
Nationality	British
Political party	Tory
Spouses	(1) Margaretta Bourke (died 1796) (2) Hon. Eleanor Eden (1777-1851)
Alma mater	None

Robert Hobart, 4th Earl of Buckinghamshire (born May 6, 1760 – died February 4, 1816) was an important British politician. He was known as Lord Hobart from 1793 until 1804. He was also a member of the Privy Council, a group of advisors to the British monarch.

Early Life and Education

Robert Hobart was born at Hampden House in England. His father was George Hobart, 3rd Earl of Buckinghamshire. Robert went to Westminster School in London, which is a famous school.

Military Service

After school, Robert Hobart joined the military. He served in the American Revolutionary War, which was a big conflict between Great Britain and its American colonies. Later, he worked as an aide-de-camp (a personal assistant) to the leaders of Ireland starting in 1784.

Robert Hobart's Political Career

Robert Hobart had a long and active career in politics. He was a member of Parliament (MP) in both Ireland and Great Britain.

Serving in Parliament

He was an MP in the Irish House of Commons for different areas from 1784 to 1797. He also served in the British House of Commons. He represented areas like Bramber and Lincoln between 1788 and 1796.

Important Government Roles

In 1793, Robert Hobart became a member of the Privy Council. This meant he was a trusted advisor to the King. He was also appointed Governor of Madras in India.

Later, he held several high-ranking government jobs:

• Secretary of State for War and the Colonies (1801-1804): This role meant he was in charge of military matters and managing British colonies around the world. People said he understood the colonies very well.
• Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1805 and 1812): This was a government position that managed land and income for the British monarch.
• United Kingdom Postmaster General (1806-1807): He was in charge of the postal service.
• President of the Board of Control (1812-1816): This role involved overseeing British affairs in India.

The city of Hobart, which is the capital of Tasmania in Australia, was named after Lord Buckinghamshire.

Family Life

Eleanor Agnes, Countess of Buckinghamshire, painted by John Hoppner

Lord Buckinghamshire married twice. His first wife was Margaretta Bourke, whom he married in 1792. They had one son who sadly died as a baby, and a daughter named Lady Sarah. Lady Sarah later married Lord Goderich, who became a Prime Minister.

After Margaretta passed away in 1796, he married Eleanor Agnes Eden in 1799. They did not have any children together.

Lord Buckinghamshire died in February 1816 when he was 55 years old. He passed away after falling from his horse. His nephew, George, became the next Earl of Buckinghamshire. Lady Buckinghamshire lived until October 1851.