Robert Spencer, 2nd Earl of Sunderland
The Earl of Sunderland | |
|---|---|
Robert Spencer, Second Earl of Sunderland | |
| Lord Chamberlain | |
| In office 19 April 1697 – 26 December 1697 | |
| Monarch | William III |
| Preceded by | The Earl of Dorset |
| Succeeded by | The Duke of Shrewsbury |
| Lord President of the Council | |
| In office 4 December 1685 – 28 October 1688 | |
| Monarch | James II |
| Preceded by | The Marquess of Halifax |
| Succeeded by | The Marquess of Carmarthen |
| Secretary of State for the Southern Department | |
| In office 14 April 1684 – 28 October 1688 | |
| Monarchs | Charles II James II |
| Preceded by | Leoline Jenkins |
| Succeeded by | The Earl of Middleton |
| In office 26 April 1680 – 2 February 1681 | |
| Monarch | Charles II |
| Preceded by | Henry Coventry |
| Succeeded by | Leoline Jenkins |
| Secretary of State for the Northern Department | |
| In office 28 January 1683 – 14 April 1684 | |
| Monarch | Charles II |
| Preceded by | The Earl of Conway |
| Succeeded by | Sidney Godolphin |
| In office 10 February 1679 – 26 April 1680 | |
| Monarch | Charles II |
| Preceded by | Joseph Williamson |
| Succeeded by | Leoline Jenkins |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Robert Spencer 5 September 1641 |
| Died | 28 September 1702 (aged 61) |
| Resting place | Brington, Northamptonshire |
| Spouse | |
| Parent(s) | Henry Spencer, 1st Earl of Sunderland Dorothy Sidney |
| Alma mater | Christ Church, Oxford |
| Occupation | Politician |
Robert Spencer, 2nd Earl of Sunderland, KG, PC (5 September 1641 – 28 September 1702) was an English nobleman and politician of the Spencer family. An able and gifted statesman, his caustic temper and belief in absolute monarchy nevertheless made him numerous enemies. He was forced to flee England in 1688, but later established himself with the new regime after the Glorious Revolution of that year. Subsequently, he took on a more disinterested role as an adviser to the Crown, seeking neither office nor favour. He evinced no party loyalty, but was devoted to his country's interests, as he saw them. By the notoriously lax standards of the Restoration Court, his private life was remarkably free from scandal, which won him favour in the more sober post-Revolution state.