Sir Robert Corbet, 4th Baronet facts for kids
Sir Robert Corbet, the 4th Baronet, was an important English politician who lived from about 1670 to 1740. He came from Stoke, a place in Shropshire, England. Sir Robert was a member of the Whig party, which was one of the main political groups at the time. He served in the English and British Parliament from 1705 to 1722. He also held a special job in the Royal Household, which was the group of people who worked for the King or Queen.
Early Life and Family
Robert Corbet was the only son of Sir John Corbet, who was the 3rd Baronet. A "Baronet" is a special title, like a knight, that is passed down in a family. Robert grew up in Stoke upon Tern, Shropshire.
When he was 17, in 1687, he went to Christ Church, Oxford, which is a famous university. The next year, in 1688, he joined the Inner Temple. This was a place where people studied to become lawyers. In 1695, when his father passed away, Robert became the 4th Baronet.
A Career in Politics
Sir Robert Corbet had a busy career in public service. In 1700 and 1701, he was chosen to be the High Sheriff of Shropshire. This was an important local job, like a chief officer for the county.
Then, in 1705, he was elected to the English House of Commons. This is like being a member of Parliament, where laws are made. He represented his home county of Shropshire until 1710. He was elected again for Shropshire in 1715 and served until 1722.
Sir Robert was a very loyal member of the Whig party. Because of his strong support, he was given a job in the Royal Household. This job was called the Clerk of the Green Cloth. The Clerk of the Green Cloth helped manage the King's household, like looking after the royal expenses and supplies. Sir Robert started as the Third Clerk and worked his way up to become the First Clerk. He held this important position until 1735.
Later Years and Legacy
In 1735, Sir Robert left his job in the Royal Household. He made way for another person who was currently a Member of Parliament. Instead, he was appointed a Commissioner of Customs. A Commissioner of Customs was in charge of collecting taxes on goods that came into or left the country. He held this job until he passed away.
Sir Robert Corbet died in 1740. He was married to Jane Hooker, and they had three sons and three daughters. After his death, his oldest son, Sir William Corbet, became the 5th Baronet.
