Robert Byron, 13th Baron Byron
Encyclopedia
Robert James Byron, 13th Baron Byron (born 5 April 1950) is a British peer
and barrister
. He is a descendant of a cousin of Romantic
poet
and writer, George Gordon Byron, 6th Baron Byron
.
(later 12th Baron Byron), and Dorigen Margaret Esdaile. He was educated at Wellington College
in Berkshire
, UK and studied law at Trinity College, Cambridge
.
He married Robyn Margaret McLean in 1979. She became Lady Byron when her husband inherited the barony on 15 June 1989. The couple have four children:
in 1974 and thus became entitled to practice as a barrister
. He eventually became a partner at Holman, Fenwick & Willan, and a President of the British Byron Society.
, where he took the Oath of Allegiance
in October 1989. He attended chamber debates infrequently, speaking mostly on bills related to the justice system and shipping law. Along with most hereditary peers, he lost the right to attend when the House of Lords Act 1999
took effect in November 1999.
Peerage
The Peerage is a legal system of largely hereditary titles in the United Kingdom, which constitute the ranks of British nobility and is part of the British honours system...
and barrister
Barrister
A barrister is a member of one of the two classes of lawyer found in many common law jurisdictions with split legal professions. Barristers specialise in courtroom advocacy, drafting legal pleadings and giving expert legal opinions...
. He is a descendant of a cousin of Romantic
Romanticism
Romanticism was an artistic, literary and intellectual movement that originated in the second half of the 18th century in Europe, and gained strength in reaction to the Industrial Revolution...
poet
Poet
A poet is a person who writes poetry. A poet's work can be literal, meaning that his work is derived from a specific event, or metaphorical, meaning that his work can take on many meanings and forms. Poets have existed since antiquity, in nearly all languages, and have produced works that vary...
and writer, George Gordon Byron, 6th Baron Byron
George Gordon Byron, 6th Baron Byron
George Gordon Byron, 6th Baron Byron, later George Gordon Noel, 6th Baron Byron, FRS , commonly known simply as Lord Byron, was a British poet and a leading figure in the Romantic movement...
.
Early life and education
Byron was born to Lt. Col. Richard Geoffrey Gordon ByronRichard Byron, 12th Baron Byron
Lieutenant-Colonel Richard Geoffrey Gordon Byron, 12th Baron Byron DSO was a British peer and army officer. He was a descendant of a cousin of Romantic poet and writer, George Gordon Byron, 6th Baron Byron....
(later 12th Baron Byron), and Dorigen Margaret Esdaile. He was educated at Wellington College
Wellington College, Berkshire
-Former pupils:Notable former pupils include historian P. J. Marshall, architect Sir Nicholas Grimshaw, impressionist Rory Bremner, Adolphus Cambridge, 1st Marquess of Cambridge, author Sebastian Faulks, language school pioneer John Haycraft, political journalist Robin Oakley, actor Sir Christopher...
in Berkshire
Berkshire
Berkshire is a historic county in the South of England. It is also often referred to as the Royal County of Berkshire because of the presence of the royal residence of Windsor Castle in the county; this usage, which dates to the 19th century at least, was recognised by the Queen in 1957, and...
, UK and studied law at Trinity College, Cambridge
Trinity College, Cambridge
Trinity College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. Trinity has more members than any other college in Cambridge or Oxford, with around 700 undergraduates, 430 graduates, and over 170 Fellows...
.
He married Robyn Margaret McLean in 1979. She became Lady Byron when her husband inherited the barony on 15 June 1989. The couple have four children:
- The Hon. Caroline Anne Victoria Byron (1981)
- The Hon. Emily Clare Byron (1984)
- The Hon. Sophie Georgina Byron (1986)
- The Hon. Charles Richard Gordon Byron (28 July 1990); heir apparentHeir apparentAn heir apparent or heiress apparent is a person who is first in line of succession and cannot be displaced from inheriting, except by a change in the rules of succession....
.
Professional life
Byron was admitted to the Inner TempleInner Temple
The Honourable Society of the Inner Temple, commonly known as Inner Temple, is one of the four Inns of Court in London. To be called to the Bar and practise as a barrister in England and Wales, an individual must belong to one of these Inns...
in 1974 and thus became entitled to practice as a barrister
Barrister
A barrister is a member of one of the two classes of lawyer found in many common law jurisdictions with split legal professions. Barristers specialise in courtroom advocacy, drafting legal pleadings and giving expert legal opinions...
. He eventually became a partner at Holman, Fenwick & Willan, and a President of the British Byron Society.
House of Lords
Upon inheriting his title, Byron became entitled to sit in the House of LordsHouse of Lords
The House of Lords is the upper house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Like the House of Commons, it meets in the Palace of Westminster....
, where he took the Oath of Allegiance
Oath of allegiance
An oath of allegiance is an oath whereby a subject or citizen acknowledges a duty of allegiance and swears loyalty to monarch or country. In republics, modern oaths specify allegiance to the country's constitution. For example, officials in the United States, a republic, take an oath of office that...
in October 1989. He attended chamber debates infrequently, speaking mostly on bills related to the justice system and shipping law. Along with most hereditary peers, he lost the right to attend when the House of Lords Act 1999
House of Lords Act 1999
The House of Lords Act 1999 was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that was given Royal Assent on 11 November 1999. The Act reformed the House of Lords, one of the chambers of Parliament. For centuries, the House of Lords had included several hundred members who inherited their seats;...
took effect in November 1999.