Family and Education

b. ?1706, 2nd s. of Edward Harley of Eywood, and bro. of Edward Harley jnr.. educ. Westminster c.1715-19; Ch. Ch. Oxf. 5 Mar. 1723, aged 16; L. Inn 1724, called 1730, bencher 1751. unm.

Offices Held

Recorder, Leominster 1732-d., Tewkesbury 1756-60, 1764-d.

Biography

Robert Harley, a practising barrister, succeeded his father as recorder of Leominster in 1732. Returned there as a Tory at the next general election, he voted with the Opposition, except on the motion for Walpole’s dismissal in 1741, on which he withdrew with his brother.1 Defeated in 1741, he recovered his seat at a by-election, continuing to vote with the Opposition. He did not stand again till 1750, when he contested Oxford University unsuccessfully. From 1754 he was returned by his cousin, Lord Foley, for Droitwich till his death, 15 Mar. 1774.

Ref Volumes: 1715-1754

Author: A. N. Newman

Notes

• 1. Harley Diary.