Robert Spencer, 4th Earl of Sunderland
Encyclopedia
Robert Spencer, 4th Earl of Sunderland (24 October 1701 – 15 September 1729) was a British peer, the son of the Whig
politician, Charles Spencer, 3rd Earl of Sunderland
. His mother was Lady Anne Churchill, the daughter of John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough
and Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough
. Known as Lord Spencer between 1702 and 1722, he succeeded to the Earldom after his father's death in, but died in 1729 with no children. Therefore, his brother, Charles
, became 5th Earl of Sunderland, and subsequently 3rd Duke of Marlborough after the death of his aunt, Henrietta Godolphin (née Churchill), 2nd Duchess of Marlborough.
Robert Spencer was the potential heir to the dukedom of Marlborough. Had he survived, the dukedom would have passed through his family, possibly cancelling out many members of the current line, including Sir Winston Churchill
.
British Whig Party
The Whigs were a party in the Parliament of England, Parliament of Great Britain, and Parliament of the United Kingdom, who contested power with the rival Tories from the 1680s to the 1850s. The Whigs' origin lay in constitutional monarchism and opposition to absolute rule...
politician, Charles Spencer, 3rd Earl of Sunderland
Charles Spencer, 3rd Earl of Sunderland
Sir Charles Spencer, 3rd Earl of Sunderland KG PC , known as Lord Spencer from 1688 to 1702, was an English statesman...
. His mother was Lady Anne Churchill, the daughter of John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough
John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough
John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough, Prince of Mindelheim, KG, PC , was an English soldier and statesman whose career spanned the reigns of five monarchs through the late 17th and early 18th centuries...
and Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough
Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough
Sarah Churchill , Duchess of Marlborough rose to be one of the most influential women in British history as a result of her close friendship with Queen Anne of Great Britain.Sarah's friendship and influence with Princess Anne was widely known, and leading public figures...
. Known as Lord Spencer between 1702 and 1722, he succeeded to the Earldom after his father's death in, but died in 1729 with no children. Therefore, his brother, Charles
Charles Spencer, 3rd Duke of Marlborough
Charles Spencer, 3rd Duke of Marlborough KG, PC , known as The Earl of Sunderland between 1729 and 1733, was a British soldier and politician. He briefly served as Lord Privy Seal in 1755...
, became 5th Earl of Sunderland, and subsequently 3rd Duke of Marlborough after the death of his aunt, Henrietta Godolphin (née Churchill), 2nd Duchess of Marlborough.
Robert Spencer was the potential heir to the dukedom of Marlborough. Had he survived, the dukedom would have passed through his family, possibly cancelling out many members of the current line, including Sir Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill
Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, was a predominantly Conservative British politician and statesman known for his leadership of the United Kingdom during the Second World War. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest wartime leaders of the century and served as Prime Minister twice...
.
Titles
- 24 October 1701 – 28 September 1702: The Honourable Robert Spencer
- 28 September 1702 – 19 April 1722: Baron Spencer
- 19 April 1722 – 15 September 1729: The Right Honourable The Earl of Sunderland