Robert Liston (diplomat) facts for kids
Sir Robert Liston (born October 8, 1742 – died July 15, 1836) was a Scottish diplomat. This means he was a special representative for his country, Scotland, who worked with other nations. He served as an ambassador in many different countries. He also received important awards like the Grand Cross of the Bath and was a member of the Privy Council.
His Life Story
Robert Liston was born in a place called Overtoun House in Kirkliston, Scotland. His father was Patrick Liston.
He went to the University of Edinburgh to study many languages. After that, he became a teacher for the sons of a noble family, the Earl of Minto. In 1784, he became a member of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, which is a famous group for science and learning. He also received a special university degree in 1785.
People said Robert Liston could speak ten different languages! He joined the government's team that works with other countries, called the diplomatic service. His career took him all over Europe. He went to Constantinople (which is now Istanbul) in 1794, but he did not like it there and left in 1795.
Working in America
Next, he got a promotion and was sent to the United States. In 1796, he married Henrietta Marchant. She was from Antigua and had inherited money. Henrietta was very charming and good at talking to people. This helped her husband a lot in his job. She also wrote a diary where she shared her thoughts. She liked George Washington and John Adams, who were important American leaders. However, she did not like Talleyrand, a French diplomat. Robert Liston also got along very well with George Washington.
Later Career and Retirement
In 1812, Robert Liston became a Privy Councillor. This meant he was a special advisor to the King or Queen. In 1816, he received a very high award called the Grand Cross of the Bath. He served as an ambassador to the Sublime Porte (the government of the Ottoman Empire) for a second time, starting in 1812. He finally retired from this job in 1820.
Robert and Henrietta lived at their home called Millburn Tower in Ratho, Scotland. Henrietta passed away in 1828, and Robert died at home in 1836. They did not have any children.
They are both buried in the graveyard of Gogar Kirk. Robert Liston had bought the church and its burial ground. He even built a family mausoleum (a special building for burials) there. However, when the church was rebuilt in 1890, the mausoleum was taken down because there were no family members left to save it. A memorial obelisk (a tall, thin monument) was put in its place.
Where He Worked
Here is a timeline of the important jobs Robert Liston had during his career:
- 1783: He was a helper at the Embassy to the King of Spain.
- 1784: He became a special representative to Spain.
- 1788–1793: He was the Ambassador to Sweden.
- 1793–1796: He was the Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire.
- 1796–1800: He was a special representative and minister to the United States.
- 1802: He was a special representative and minister to the Batavian Republic (now the Netherlands).
- 1803: He went on a special trip to the King of Denmark.
- 1812–1820: He was the Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire for a second time.
See also
- List of Ambassadors from the United Kingdom to the United States
- List of diplomats of the United Kingdom to the Ottoman Empire
