Robert Liston

Sir Robert Liston, GCB FRSE PC (8 October 1742 – 15 July 1836) was a Scottish diplomat and ambassador to several countries.

Biography Liston was born at Overtoun House in Kirkliston, Scotland, the son of Patrick Liston of Torbanehill, West Lothian.

He studied languages at the University of Edinburgh, and then tutored the sons of the Earl of Minto. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 1784. His proposers were Andrew Dalzell, William Robertson, and John Drysdale. He was granted an honorary doctorate (LLD) in 1785. and an unfavourable impression of Talleyrand. Robert was also on excellent terms with Washington, though relations cooled somewhat after Adams' election.

On 26 March 1812 he was sworn a Privy Councillor, and on 21 October 1816, he was awarded the Grand Cross of the Bath.

The family lived at Millburn Tower in Ratho. Liston's wife, Henrietta Marchant, died in 1828 and he died at home in 1836.

Timeline of career

Secretary of Embassy to the King of Spain (12 March 1783) Minister plenipotentiary to Spain (1784) Ambassador to Sweden (1788–1793) Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire (1 October 1793 – 1796) Envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary to the United States (10 March 1796 – 1800) Envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary to the Batavian republic (14 August 1802) Extraordinary mission to the King of Denmark (23 June 1803) Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire (2 March 1812 - 1820)