Robert Shirley, Viscount Tamworth

Who was Robert Shirley, Viscount Tamworth?

Robert Shirley, Viscount Tamworth was an English nobleman and politician.

Robert Shirley was the eldest son of Hon. Robert Shirley and his wife Anne Ferrers, born at Staunton Harold Hall. He inherited Tamworth Castle and other estates in Staffordshire upon his mother's death, and became heir apparent to his grandfather, Lord Ferrers of Chartley, when his father died the following year. He was styled Viscount Tamworth after 1711, when his grandfather was created Earl Ferrers.

When Sir Geoffrey Palmer, Member of Parliament for Leicestershire was forced by straitened finances to step down at the 1713 election, Tamworth was put forth by the Tories to replace him. At the time, the Tories held both Leicestershire seats; thorough canvassing on the part of Tamworth and some judicious payments quieted the Whig opposition, and Tamworth and the sitting member, Sir Thomas Cave, were returned without a poll. In the new Parliament, he was teller in favour of a supply bill on 22 June to grant Queen Anne 32 years of additional duties on various goods. Two weeks later, he was, like his father, stricken by smallpox and died on 5 July. He was buried at Staunton Harold.