Patrick Francis Robertson

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Patrick Francis Robertson (24 August 1807 – 20 January 1885) was a British businessman and a Liberal Conservative MP for Hastings, East Sussex, England.

Early life[edit]

Patrick Francis Robertson was born on 24 August 1807 in Meigle, Perthshire, Scotland,[1] the oldest son of Daniel Robertson (1755 - 1817) and Isabella Small (1774 - 1811). His father was a professor of Oriental Languages at St. Mary's College, St. Andrews, Scotland from 1809 - 1817.[2] His maternal grandfather was Alexander Small, Minister of Newtyle and Kilconquhar, Scotland. The family was a member of the Smalls of Dirnanean.

Robertson's mother died when he was four. Robertson and his two younger siblings were primarily raised by a maternal aunt, Cecilia Small, after his mother's death.

Business career[edit]

Robertson obtained his formal education at the University of St. Andrews. After graduating, Robertson joined other members of his extended family in the East India and China trade, becoming a wealthy man.[2][3][4] He lived for a time in Canton, China.[4]

Positions as a sub-governor for the London Assurance Corporation,[2] department-chairman of the Bank of Egypt, and director of the Oriental Bank and the Ceylon Co, eventually followed for Robertson.[4]

Around Hastings, Robertson was known for his real estate development projects.[5]

Political career[edit]

Robertson was a Deputy-Lieutenant of Sussex and a Justice of the Peace for the borough of Hastings.[4]

In 1847 Robertson was an unsuccessful candidate for Parliament.[2] He ran again and won election as a Liberal Conservative for Hastings in July 1852, serving until April 1859. He chose to run again in October 1864, but was not re-elected until July 1865.[2] He declared himself retired in 1868, but unsuccessfully ran yet again in 1869 and 1874.[2]

Death and legacy[edit]

A lifelong bachelor, Patrick Francis Robertson died on 20 January 1885 in Hampstead, Middlesex, England.[2]

Robertson's estate in Hastings, on Old London Road, was named Halton House.[6] The mansion house no longer exists but the hill where it stood is called Robertson Hill.[6] Robertson Street and Robertson Terrace, sites within a large-scale development belonging to Robertson, are also named after him.[6]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Robertson, Patrick Francis. "Scotland, Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950". The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. source film number: 1040332 {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Stenton, [ed. by] Michael (1976). Who's who of British members of Parliament : a biographical dictionary of the House of Commons (Volume I, 1832 - 1885 ed.). Hassocks, Sussex: Harvester P. p. 330. ISBN 0855272198. A Biographical Dictionary of the House of Commons
  3. ^ Robertson, Patrick Francis (1851). 1851 England Census Record. St. Clement, St. Clement, Hastings, Sussex, England. pp. H.O. 107 1635.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  4. ^ a b c d Mair, Robert Henry (1867). Debrett's Illustrated House of Commons, and the Judicial Bench. London, England: Dean and Son. p. 197. Retrieved 26 January 2013. Members of Parliament
  5. ^ "The American Ground". Retrieved 25 January 2013. The American Ground Today
  6. ^ a b c "Hastings Chronicle". Hastings, England. 20 January 1885. Archived from the original on 5 April 2012. Retrieved 25 January 2013. Patrick Robertson Dies

External links[edit]

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