Robert Adam Christopher
Encyclopedia
Robert Adam Nisbet-Hamilton PC, FRS
, JP
(1804 – 9 June 1887), known as Robert Dundas until 1835 and as Robert Christopher between 1835 and 1855, was a British Conservative Party
politician. He served as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
under the Earl of Derby
between March and December 1852.
. He assumed the surname of Christopher in lieu of his patronymic in 1835 when his wife Lady Mary Bruce (see below) inherited the Christopher estates at Bloxholm and Wellvale in Lincolnshire
. In 1855 he assumed the surname of Nisbet-Hamilton in lieu of Christopher after his wife succeeded to the Nisbet-Hamilton estates in Scotland
, including Dirleton Castle
and Archerfield House
.
in 1827, a seat he held until 1831 and again briefly in 1835. He also represented Edinburgh
between 1831 and 1832 and North Lincolnshire
between 1837 and 1857. When the Conservatives came to power under the Earl of Derby
in 1852, Nisbet-Hamilton was appointed Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
and sworn of the Privy Council. He remained as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster until the government fell in December 1852.
In 1833 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society
.
and Mary
, daughter and heiress of William Hamilton Nisbet
, in 1828. They had one daughter. Lady Mary died in December 1883. Nisbet-Hamilton survived her by four years and died in June 1887.
Royal Society
The Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge, known simply as the Royal Society, is a learned society for science, and is possibly the oldest such society in existence. Founded in November 1660, it was granted a Royal Charter by King Charles II as the "Royal Society of London"...
, JP
Justice of the Peace
A justice of the peace is a puisne judicial officer elected or appointed by means of a commission to keep the peace. Depending on the jurisdiction, they might dispense summary justice or merely deal with local administrative applications in common law jurisdictions...
(1804 – 9 June 1887), known as Robert Dundas until 1835 and as Robert Christopher between 1835 and 1855, was a British Conservative Party
Conservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
politician. He served as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster is, in modern times, a ministerial office in the government of the United Kingdom that includes as part of its duties, the administration of the estates and rents of the Duchy of Lancaster...
under the Earl of Derby
Edward Smith-Stanley, 14th Earl of Derby
Edward George Geoffrey Smith-Stanley, 14th Earl of Derby, KG, PC was an English statesman, three times Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, and to date the longest serving leader of the Conservative Party. He was known before 1834 as Edward Stanley, and from 1834 to 1851 as Lord Stanley...
between March and December 1852.
Background
Born Robert Dundas, he was the sixth son of Robert Dundas of ArnistonRobert Dundas of Arniston
-Background:Part of a remarkable Scottish legal and political dynasty, Dundas was the son of Robert Dundas, Lord Arniston, the younger. His great-grandfather Robert Dundas had been an MP and judge, as were his grandfather Robert Dundas, Lord Arniston, the elder....
. He assumed the surname of Christopher in lieu of his patronymic in 1835 when his wife Lady Mary Bruce (see below) inherited the Christopher estates at Bloxholm and Wellvale in Lincolnshire
Lincolnshire
Lincolnshire is a county in the east of England. It borders Norfolk to the south east, Cambridgeshire to the south, Rutland to the south west, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire to the west, South Yorkshire to the north west, and the East Riding of Yorkshire to the north. It also borders...
. In 1855 he assumed the surname of Nisbet-Hamilton in lieu of Christopher after his wife succeeded to the Nisbet-Hamilton estates in Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, including Dirleton Castle
Dirleton Castle
Dirleton Castle is a medieval fortress in the village of Dirleton, East Lothian, Scotland. It lies around west of North Berwick, and around east of Edinburgh...
and Archerfield House
Archerfield Estate and Links
Archerfield and Archerfield Links are a country house and pair of golf courses in the parish of Dirleton, East Lothian, Scotland...
.
Political career
Nisbet-Hamilton was returned to Parliament for IpswichIpswich (UK Parliament constituency)
Ipswich is a borough constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It elects one Member of Parliament by the first past the post system of election.- Boundaries :...
in 1827, a seat he held until 1831 and again briefly in 1835. He also represented Edinburgh
Edinburgh (UK Parliament constituency)
Edinburgh was a burgh constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of Great Britain from 1708 to 1801 and of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1801 until 1885. Originally a single member constituency, representation was increased to two members in 1832...
between 1831 and 1832 and North Lincolnshire
North Lincolnshire (UK Parliament constituency)
North Lincolnshire, formally known as the Northern Division of Lincolnshire or as Parts of Lindsey, was a county constituency in the Lindsey district of Lincolnshire...
between 1837 and 1857. When the Conservatives came to power under the Earl of Derby
Edward Smith-Stanley, 14th Earl of Derby
Edward George Geoffrey Smith-Stanley, 14th Earl of Derby, KG, PC was an English statesman, three times Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, and to date the longest serving leader of the Conservative Party. He was known before 1834 as Edward Stanley, and from 1834 to 1851 as Lord Stanley...
in 1852, Nisbet-Hamilton was appointed Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster is, in modern times, a ministerial office in the government of the United Kingdom that includes as part of its duties, the administration of the estates and rents of the Duchy of Lancaster...
and sworn of the Privy Council. He remained as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster until the government fell in December 1852.
In 1833 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society
Royal Society
The Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge, known simply as the Royal Society, is a learned society for science, and is possibly the oldest such society in existence. Founded in November 1660, it was granted a Royal Charter by King Charles II as the "Royal Society of London"...
.
Family
Nisbet-Hamilton married Lady Mary, daughter of General Thomas Bruce, 7th Earl of ElginThomas Bruce, 7th Earl of Elgin
Thomas Bruce, 7th Earl of Elgin and 11th Earl of Kincardine was a Scottish nobleman and diplomat, known for the removal of marble sculptures from the Parthenon in Athens. Elgin was the second son of Charles Bruce, 5th Earl of Elgin and his wife Martha Whyte...
and Mary
Mary Nisbet
Mary Nisbet, Countess of Elgin was the first wife of British diplomat Thomas Bruce, 7th Earl of Elgin during his term as Ambassador Extraodinare to the Ottoman Empire and one of the most influential and wealthiest heiresses of the late 18th and early 19th century.-Early life:Mary Hamilton Nisbet...
, daughter and heiress of William Hamilton Nisbet
William Hamilton Nisbet
William Hamilton Nisbet was a British politician.On 31 January 1777, he married Mary Manners, daughter of Lord Robert Manners. They had one child:...
, in 1828. They had one daughter. Lady Mary died in December 1883. Nisbet-Hamilton survived her by four years and died in June 1887.