Robert Shirley, Viscount Tamworth facts for kids
Robert Shirley, also known as Viscount Tamworth, was an English nobleman and politician who lived from 1692 to 1714. He was an important figure in his family and briefly served in the British Parliament.
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Early Life and Family Connections
Robert Shirley was born on December 28, 1692, at Staunton Harold Hall in Leicestershire, England. He was the oldest son of Robert Shirley and Anne Ferrers.
When his mother, Anne Ferrers, passed away in 1698, young Robert inherited Tamworth Castle and other family lands in Staffordshire. The very next year, his father also died. This meant that Robert became the next in line to inherit the title and estates of his grandfather, Lord Ferrers of Chartley.
In 1711, his grandfather was given a higher noble title, becoming the Earl Ferrers. From that point on, Robert Shirley was known by the courtesy title of Viscount Tamworth. This title showed that he was the heir to an earl, even though he wasn't an earl himself yet.
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A Young Politician in Parliament
In 1713, a politician named Sir Geoffrey Palmer, who represented Leicestershire in Parliament, had to leave his position. The Tories, a political group at the time, chose Viscount Tamworth to take his place.
At this time, the Tories already held both of the parliamentary seats for Leicestershire. Viscount Tamworth worked hard, visiting many people and making sure things were handled smoothly. This effort, along with some careful payments, helped to calm down the Whigs, another political group who might have opposed him.
Because of this, Viscount Tamworth and the other sitting member, Sir Thomas Cave, were elected to Parliament without needing a formal vote.
Serving in Parliament
Once in Parliament, Viscount Tamworth took part in important decisions. On June 22, he acted as a "teller" for a supply bill. A "teller" is someone who counts the votes in Parliament. In this case, he voted in favor of a bill that would give Queen Anne 32 more years of taxes on various goods. These taxes were used to fund the government.
Early Death and Legacy
Sadly, just two weeks after voting on the supply bill, Robert Shirley, Viscount Tamworth, became ill. Like his father before him, he caught smallpox, a serious disease at the time. He passed away on July 5, 1714, at the young age of 21.
He was buried at Staunton Harold, his birthplace. Viscount Tamworth left his estates, including Tamworth Castle, to his sister, Elizabeth. She later married James Compton, 5th Earl of Northampton. He left his personal belongings to his aunt, Lady Barbara Shirley.
