Robert Mackreth facts for kids

Sir Robert Mackreth (born around 1725, died 1819) was an English businessman and politician. He lived in Ewhurst, Hampshire. He owned clubs, made investments, and served as a Member of Parliament (MP). An MP is a person elected to represent a group of people in the country's main law-making body, the Parliament of England. Sir Robert was an MP for Castle Rising from 1774 to 1784, and for Ashburton from 1784 to 1802.

Early Life and Business

Robert Mackreth started his career working at a famous place called White's Club. He was a "billiard-marker," which meant he helped people play billiards. Later, he bought a business that sold wine in St. James's Street.

He also became an assistant to Robert Arthur, who originally owned White's Club. When Robert Arthur passed away in 1761, he left the club to Mackreth. This happened just before Mackreth married Arthur's only daughter, Mary, in October of that year. Mackreth then had someone else manage the club for him.

Financial Dealings

After taking over White's Club, Mackreth focused on making money through investments. He also helped people by lending them money. He was known for making large bets, for example, on political elections. In 1768, he was involved in betting on the election results for John Wilkes in the City of London.

In 1774, he became a candidate for Parliament in a place called Castle Rising. He was chosen by the Earl of Orford, who found Mackreth helpful in business.

Legal Challenge

In 1786, Mackreth faced a legal problem. A young man named James Fox-Lane, who was a member of White's Club, accused Mackreth of taking advantage of him and his family money. The judge decided that Mackreth had unfairly benefited from the young man, who was still a teenager at the time. Mackreth had to pay back £20,000. He tried to appeal this decision, but he was not successful.

Later, in 1792, Mackreth had an argument with Sir John Scott, who was Fox-Lane's lawyer. Mackreth challenged Scott to a duel. Scott did not accept the challenge. Instead, he took legal action against Mackreth for causing a disturbance. Mackreth was sentenced to six weeks in prison and had to pay a fine.

Political Career and Later Years

In politics, Sir Robert Mackreth supported important leaders like Lord North and later William Pitt the Younger. He served as a Member of Parliament for Ashburton from 1784 until 1802.

On May 8, 1795, he was given the title of "Sir" by King George III. In 1802, he left his work in Parliament and moved to his home in Ewhurst, near Basingstoke. Besides his properties in London, he also owned land in Cumberland and a plantation in the West Indies.

Sir Robert Mackreth passed away in London in February 1819, when he was 93 years old. His wife had died earlier, in 1784.