BURDETT, Sir Robert, 4th Bt. (1716-97), of Bramcote, nr. Nuneaton, Warws., and Foremark, nr. Repton, Derbys.

Published in The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1754-1790, ed. L. Namier, J. Brooke., 1964
Available from Boydell and Brewer

Constituency

Dates

12 Dec. 1748 - 1768

Family and Education

b. 28 May 1716, posth. s. and h. of Robert Burdett of Bramcote, by Hon. Elizabeth Tracy, da. of William, 4th Visct. Tracy [I]. educ. Westminster; New Coll. Oxf. 1733. m. (1) 6 Nov. 1739, Elizabeth (d. 24 Aug. 1747), da. of Sir Charles Sedley, 1st Bt., sis. of Sir Charles Sedley, 2nd Bt., 3s. 2da.; (2) 17 July 1753, Lady Caroline, da. of John Manners, and Duke of Rutland, wid. of Sir Henry Harpur, 5th Bt., M.P., and mother of Sir Henry Harpur, 6th Bt., s.p. suc. gd.-fa. as 4th Bt. at birth.

Offices Held

Biography

Burdett’s grandfather had represented Warwickshire 1679-81, and he himself cultivated an interest at Tamworth. The family was Tory, and he himself was usually classed as such. In 1754 Burdett was returned unopposed; in 1761, after a contest in which he stood on a joint interest with Lord Weymouth’s candidate. He was not included in Fox’s list of Members in favour of the peace preliminaries, but did not vote against them; in the autumn of 1763 was marked by Jenkinson as ‘pro’; and after the division on general warrants, 18 Feb. 1764, was listed by him among ‘absent friends’. In July 1765 Rockingham classed him as ‘contra’; and on 22 Feb. 1766 he voted against the repeal of the Stamp Act. On the land tax, 27 Feb. 1767, and the nullum tempus bill, 17 Feb. 1768, he voted against Administration. No speech of his is recorded. By 1768 he had surrendered his interest at Tamworth, and did not stand again.

He died 13 Feb. 1797.

Ref Volumes: 1754-1790

Author: John Brooke

Notes