Sir Robert Cunliffe, 5th Baronet facts for kids
Sir Robert Alfred Cunliffe (born January 17, 1839 – died June 18, 1905) was an important British politician. He was a member of the Liberal Party. He served in the House of Commons, which is a main part of the British Parliament. He was a Member of Parliament (MP) during two different times between 1872 and 1885. He also held a special title called a Baronet.
Sir Robert's Life and Work
Sir Robert Cunliffe was the son of Robert Ellis Cunliffe. He went to a famous school called Eton College. In 1857, he joined the Scots Fusilier Guards, which is a part of the army. In 1859, he inherited the title of Baronet from his grandfather, General Sir Robert Henry Cunliffe. A Baronet is a special hereditary title, like a knight, that is passed down through families.
Military and Local Roles
Sir Robert left the regular army in 1862. He then became a Lieutenant-Colonel in the Royal Denbigh Rifles Militia in 1872. The Militia was a group of part-time soldiers. Later, in 1886, he became their Honorary Colonel. He also helped with local law and order in Denbighshire. He was a Justice of the Peace (JP) and a Deputy Lieutenant (DL). In 1868, he was the High Sheriff of Denbighshire, a very old and important local role.
Time in Parliament
In 1872, Sir Robert Cunliffe was chosen to be a Member of Parliament (MP) for Flint Boroughs. He held this job until 1874. An MP represents the people of an area in the House of Commons. This is where laws are made for the country.
He was elected again in 1880. This time, he became the MP for Denbigh Boroughs. He kept this seat until 1885. In 1892, he tried to become an MP again for the Liberal Unionist Party. However, he was not successful that time.
Sir Robert Cunliffe passed away in 1905 when he was 66 years old. He was buried in Highgate Cemetery in London.
Sir Robert's Family
Sir Robert Cunliffe was married two times. His first wife was Eleanor Susan Emily Leigh. They got married in 1869. Eleanor passed away in 1898 and was also buried in the family tomb at Highgate Cemetery.
In 1901, he married his second wife, Honourable Cecile Victoria Sackville-West. She was the daughter of Hon. William Edward Sackville-West. Lady Cunliffe was given a special honor called a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1920. She lived much longer than Sir Robert, passing away in 1955.
With his first wife, Sir Robert had a son named Foster. Foster was a cricketer and a historian. Sadly, he died while fighting in World War I. Sir Robert and Eleanor also had a daughter named Mary, who was born around 1879.
