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Robert Clive

1789 – 1854

British politician

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About Robert Clive

Lived 1789 – 1854 (aged 65). Robert Clive was a British politician.

Hon. Robert Henry Clive (15 January 1789 – 20 January 1854) was a British Conservative Party politician.

Early life Clive was born in the parish of St George's, Hanover Square, London, a younger son of Edward Clive, 1st Earl of Powis. His mother was Lady Henrietta, daughter of Henry Herbert, 1st Earl of Powis. Edward Herbert (ne Clive), 2nd Earl of Powis, was his elder brother.

His paternal grandfather was Robert Clive, 1st Baron Clive ("Clive of India"), the first British Governor of the Bengal Presidency who is credited for laying the foundation of the British East India Company rule in Bengal.

He was educated at Eton College and was at St John's College, Cambridge from 1807 to 1809, when he graduated M.A. He was awarded an honorary LL.D. in 1835.

Career Clive sat as one of the two Members of Parliament for Ludlow from 1818 to 1832,

An agricultural landowner in Shropshire, Worcestershire, and Wales, he was an advocate of the abolition of the Corn Laws during Sir Robert Peel's administration. He was appointed to the commission investigating the Rebecca Riots in south Wales in October 1843. He was Colonel commanding the Worcestershire Yeomanry from 1833 until his death. Robert Windsor-Clive (1824–1859), also an MP for Ludlow and South Shropshire; he married Lady Mary Bridgeman, daughter of George Bridgeman, 2nd Earl of Bradford.

After falling ill at a railway company directors' meeting, Clive died in Shrewsbury in January 1854, aged 65, at the nearby home of the Town Clerk. He was buried at Bromfield Parish Church, near his Oakly Park home near Ludlow.

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Important facts

Birth century
Occupation
Education
St John's College, Eton College, St John's College, Cambridge
Positions held
Member of the 16th Parliament of the United Kingdom, Member of the 15th Parliament of the United Kingdom, Member of the 14th Parliament of the United Kingdom, Member of the 13th Parliament of the United Kingdom
Also known as
Robert Henry Clive

Family & relationships

Spouse
Harriet Windsor-Clive, 13th Baroness Windsor
Parent
Edward Clive, 1st Earl of Powis
Parent
Henrietta Clive, Countess of Powis

People in Robert Clive's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Robert Clive's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Robert Clive?

British politician

When was Robert Clive born?

Robert Clive was born on 15 January 1789 in London, St George's, Hanover Square.

When did Robert Clive die?

Robert Clive died on 20 January 1854 in Shrewsbury.

What was Robert Clive's occupation?

Robert Clive was a politician.

What nationality was Robert Clive?

Robert Clive was British.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Robert Clive

· Wikidata: Q7342986

· DBpedia: Robert Clive (1789–1854)

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Robert Clive. https://biography.guide/robert-clive-politician-1789/

MLA: "Robert Clive." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/robert-clive-politician-1789/.

Chicago: "Robert Clive." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/robert-clive-politician-1789/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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