Robert Spencer, 4th Earl of Sunderland facts for kids

Robert Spencer, the 4th Earl of Sunderland, was an important person in British history. He was born on October 24, 1701, and sadly passed away on September 15, 1729. Robert belonged to the famous Spencer family, which has many well-known members.

He was known as Lord Spencer for most of his early life. This was a special title given to him because of his family's high rank.

Who Was Robert Spencer?

Robert Spencer was a British peer. A peer is a person who holds a high rank in the nobility, like an Earl or a Duke. These titles are usually passed down through families. Robert became the 4th Earl of Sunderland after his father died.

His Family Tree

Robert Spencer came from a very important family. His father was Charles Spencer, 3rd Earl of Sunderland. Charles was a well-known politician who belonged to the Whig Party. The Whigs were one of the main political groups in Britain at that time.

Robert's mother was Lady Anne Churchill. Her parents were even more famous! Lady Anne's father was John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough. He was a very successful military leader. Her mother was Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough, who was a close friend and advisor to Queen Anne.

A Family of Influence

Being part of the Spencer and Churchill families meant Robert was connected to some of the most powerful people in Britain. These families played a big role in politics and society for many years. They owned large estates and had a lot of influence.

Becoming an Earl

Robert became the 4th Earl of Sunderland in 1722. This happened after his father, Charles Spencer, passed away. The title of Earl of Sunderland was very old and important. It meant Robert was a member of the House of Lords, which is part of the British Parliament.

A Short Time as Earl

Sadly, Robert Spencer's time as the Earl of Sunderland was short. He died in 1729 when he was only 27 years old. He did not have any children of his own.

Because Robert had no children, his title needed to pass to someone else. His younger brother, Charles, became the 5th Earl of Sunderland. Later, this same brother, Charles, also became the 3rd Duke of Marlborough. This happened after their aunt, Henrietta Godolphin, passed away. This shows how titles and lands could move between different family members.