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Biography of Sir Robert Clifton, 5th Baronet (1690-1762)

Robert was the eldest son of Sir Gervase Clifton, 4th Baronet, and his wife Anne. He was made a Knight of the Bath in 1725, and succeeded his father to the baronetcy in 1731.

He abjured his father's Roman Catholicism, and served as M.P. for East Retford between 1727 and 1741. In 1741 he came bottom of the poll, despite large bribes paid by his mother-in-law, Lady Lombe, to potential voters. In 1746 he was imprisoned for debt. Sir Robert wished to re-enter parliament, but found little support in his attempts to stand at Retford in 1747 and Nottingham in 1758, and did not stand for election.

Family

He married 1stly, in 1723, Frances Coote (d 1733), daughter of Nanfan, Earl of Bellamont, and had:

• Frances, m 1747 George Carpenter, 1st Earl of Tyrconnel

He married 2ndly, in 1740, Hannah (d 1748), daughter of Sir Thomas Lombe, Alderman and Sheriff of London, and had:

• Gervase, later 6th Baronet

He married 3rdly, in 1756, Judith (d 1765), daughter of Captain Thwaites. They had no issue.

Archive Collections

• Title deeds, settlements, estate and legal papers relating to Sir Robert Clifton's ownership of his estates are part of the Clifton collection held in Manuscripts and Special Collections at the University of Nottingham
• Various deeds and legal papers relating to Sir Robert Clifton can also be found in the Mellish collection (Me) held in Manuscripts and Special Collections at the University of Nottingham

Published Sources

• Romney Sedgwick (ed), 'Sir Robert Clifton', in The House of Commons, 1715-1754 (London: Published for the History of Parliament Trust by H.M.S.O., 1970)