HARLEY, Robert (1661-1724), of Brampton Bryan, Herefs.

Family and Education

b. 5 Dec. 1661, 1st s. of Sir Edward Harley* by his 2nd w.; bro. of Edward*. educ. Shilton, Oxon. (Mr Birch), 1671–80; Sherwood Street Academy, London (M. Foubert), 1680–1; M. Temple 1682. m. (1) 14 May 1685, Elizabeth (d. 30 Nov. 1691), da. of Thomas Foley I* of Witley Court, Worcs., sis. of Edward Foley*, Richard Foley* and Thomas Foley III*, 2s. (1 d.v.p.) 2da.; (2) 4 Oct. 1694, Sarah, da. of Simon Middleton of Edmonton, Mdx., s.p. suc. fa. 1700; cr. Earl of Oxford 23 May 1711; KG 26 Oct. 1712. Add. 70126, acct. of sickness and death of Elizabeth Harley.

Offices Held

Sheriff, Herefs. Mar.– Nov. 1689; freeman, New Radnor 1690, Ludlow 1701; steward of crown manors, Rad. 1691–1714; custos rot. Rad. 1702–14; warden, Sherwood Forest 1712–14. HMC Portland, iii. 448; Salop RO, Ludlow bor. recs. min. bk. 1690–1712; Add. 70247, William Levinz* to Harley, 8 July 1712.

Commr. public accts. 1691–7; sec. of state (north) 1704–8; PC 23 Apr. 1704–May 1708, 13 Aug. 1710–Sept. 1714; commr. union with Scotland 1706; chancellor of the Exchequer 1710–11; ld. treasurer 1711–14; housekeeper, St. James’s Palace May–July 1714. Boyer, Anne Annals, iii. 2; R. O. Bucholz, Augustan Court, 261.

Commr. Greenwich Hosp. 1695, Q. Anne’s Bounty 1704; gov. Charterhouse by 1716. Add. 10120, ff. 232–6; A. Savidge, Q. Anne’s Bounty, 124; Al. Carth. 78.

Speaker of the House of Commons 10 Feb. 1701–5 Apr. 1705.

Gov. S. Sea Co. 1711–14. Info. from Prof. R. Walcott.

FRS 1712.

Parlimentarian

HARLEY, Robert II (1661-1724), of Brampton Bryan, Herefs.

Main residence: Brampton Bryan, Herefs.

Notes

Harley has been the subject of several modern biographical studies, most notably by A. McInnes, Robert Harley, S. Biddle, Bolingbroke and Harley, and B. W. Hill, Robert Harley. All have their merits, but none is entirely satisfactory. There is also an interesting short study of of Harley’s early parliamentary career by T. Rowlands in BL Jnl. xv. 173-86.

Author

D.W.H.

Volume

Commons 1690-1715

Web Title

HARLEY, Robert (1661-1724)

Will

Estates

Oxford 1644

Addresses

Religion

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