Robert Benson, 1st Baron Bingley
Encyclopedia
Robert Benson, 1st Baron Bingley, PC (circa 1676 – 9 April 1731) was an English
politician of the 18th century.
. He went to school in London
before studying at Christ's College, Cambridge
. He served as member of Parliament
for Thetford
in Norfolk
from 1702 to 1705, then becoming MP for York.
In 1711, he was sworn of the Privy Council and became Chancellor of the Exchequer
until 1713. In 1713 he became ennobled as Baron Bingley, and became the British ambassador to Spain.
Benson founded the stately home Bramham Park
.
When he died the title Baron Bingley
became extinct, although it was later re-created for his son-in-law. It has often been suggested that Bingley was the real father of the British soldier, dramatist and politician John Burgoyne
.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
politician of the 18th century.
Life
Robert Benson was born in WakefieldWakefield
Wakefield is the main settlement and administrative centre of the City of Wakefield, a metropolitan district of West Yorkshire, England. Located by the River Calder on the eastern edge of the Pennines, the urban area is and had a population of 76,886 in 2001....
. He went to school in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
before studying at Christ's College, Cambridge
Christ's College, Cambridge
Christ's College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge.With a reputation for high academic standards, Christ's College averaged top place in the Tompkins Table from 1980-2000 . In 2011, Christ's was placed sixth.-College history:...
. He served as member of Parliament
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
for Thetford
Thetford (UK Parliament constituency)
Thetford was a constituency of the British House of Commons. It elected two Members of Parliament by the bloc vote system of election until it was disenfranchised in 1868...
in Norfolk
Norfolk
Norfolk is a low-lying county in the East of England. It has borders with Lincolnshire to the west, Cambridgeshire to the west and southwest and Suffolk to the south. Its northern and eastern boundaries are the North Sea coast and to the north-west the county is bordered by The Wash. The county...
from 1702 to 1705, then becoming MP for York.
In 1711, he was sworn of the Privy Council and became Chancellor of the Exchequer
Chancellor of the Exchequer
The Chancellor of the Exchequer is the title held by the British Cabinet minister who is responsible for all economic and financial matters. Often simply called the Chancellor, the office-holder controls HM Treasury and plays a role akin to the posts of Minister of Finance or Secretary of the...
until 1713. In 1713 he became ennobled as Baron Bingley, and became the British ambassador to Spain.
Benson founded the stately home Bramham Park
Bramham Park
Bramham Park is a country house between Leeds and Wetherby, West Yorkshire, England. The Baroque mansion was built in 1698 by Robert Benson, 1st Baron Bingley. It has remained in the ownership of Benson's descendents since its completion in 1710...
.
When he died the title Baron Bingley
Baron Bingley
Baron Bingley is a title that has been created three times, twice in the Peerage of Great Britain and once in the Peerage of the United Kingdom....
became extinct, although it was later re-created for his son-in-law. It has often been suggested that Bingley was the real father of the British soldier, dramatist and politician John Burgoyne
John Burgoyne
General John Burgoyne was a British army officer, politician and dramatist. He first saw action during the Seven Years' War when he participated in several battles, mostly notably during the Portugal Campaign of 1762....
.