Robert Sawyer (Attorney General) facts for kids
Sir Robert Sawyer (1633–1692) was an important English lawyer and politician. He lived at Highclere Castle and served as the main legal advisor to the government, known as the Attorney General for England and Wales, from 1681 to 1687. For a short time, he was also the Speaker of the English House of Commons.
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Early Life and Education
Robert Sawyer was born in 1633. His father, Sir Edmund Sawyer, was an important government official who managed money for the King. Robert went to Magdalene College, Cambridge, a famous university. While there, he studied with Samuel Pepys, who later became a very famous writer. Robert cared a lot about education and later helped the library at his college.
After university, Robert became a barrister, which is a type of lawyer. He joined a group of lawyers called the Inner Temple in London. He worked on many well-known legal cases. Later, he became the treasurer of the Inner Temple, showing he was a respected leader among lawyers.
Political Career
Robert Sawyer began his political journey in 1673 when he was chosen to be a Member of Parliament (MP) for a town called High Wycombe. Four years later, he was made a knight by the King, which meant he was given the title "Sir."
In 1678, Sir Robert was chosen to be the Speaker of the House of Commons. The Speaker is like a referee who makes sure debates run smoothly. However, he had to leave this job in less than a month because he became unwell.
Three years later, in 1681, he was given a very important job: Attorney General. In this role, he was the chief lawyer for the King and the government. He handled many significant legal matters for the country. After this, he worked as a private lawyer again. He had a big success when he defended a group of important church leaders in a famous court case.
Life at Highclere
Sir Robert Sawyer made his home in a place called Highclere in Hampshire, England. He built a large house there. This house was the one that came before the beautiful Highclere Castle we see today.
He continued his work in Parliament. He was elected as an MP for Cambridge University in both 1689 and 1690.
Family and Legacy
Sir Robert Sawyer passed away at Highclere on July 30, 1692. He was buried in the old church there. He had a wife named Margaret Suckeley. They had a daughter, also named Margaret, who married a nobleman named Thomas Herbert, 8th Earl of Pembroke. Through their daughter, Sir Robert's family line eventually inherited Highclere Castle. These descendants became known as the Earls of Carnarvon. Sir Robert also had a son named George. Through George's daughter, Catherine, Sir Robert is an ancestor of the Marquess of Anglesey, another noble family.
Images for kids
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Sir Robert Sawyer.
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Highclere Castle
