Robert Walpole

The Rt. Hon. Robert Walpole, 1st Earl of Orford, KG, GCB, (26 August 1676–18 March 1745), nickname "Cock Robin," was a British Whig statesman who is generally regarded as having been the first Prime Minister of Great Britain. The position of Prime Minister had no official recognition in law, but Walpole is nevertheless acknowledged as having held the de facto office due to the extent of his influence in the Cabinet.

Early life

Robert Walpole was born in Houghton Hall, Norfolk in 1676. His father, also named Robert Walpole, was a Whig politician who represented the borough of Castle Rising in the House of Commons. His mother was Mary Walpole (née Mary Burwell); he was the fifth of seventeen children, eight of whom died during infancy. Robert Walpole would later prove to hold the record amongst Prime Ministers for the greatest number of siblings.

Related Topics:
Houghton Hall - Norfolk - 1676 - Castle Rising - House of Commons

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Walpole studied at Eton College from 1690 to 1695, and matriculated at King's College, Cambridge in 1696. In 1698, he left the University of Cambridge after the death of his only remaining elder brother, Edward, so that he could help his father administer the family estate. Walpole had planned to become a clergyman, but abandoned the idea when, as the eldest surviving son in the family, he became the heir to his father's estate. In 1700, Walpole married Catherine Shorter, with whom he later had three sons and two daughters, including Horace Walpole. After Catherine died in 1737, Walpole married his mistress, Maria Skerritt, who died shortly thereafter during childbirth.

Related Topics:
Eton College - 1690 - 1695 - King's College, Cambridge - 1696 - 1698 - 1700 - Catherine Shorter - Horace Walpole - 1737 - Maria Skerritt

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