Biography.guide
Home › People › Politician › Robert Shafto
Portrait of Robert Shafto

Robert Shafto

1690 – 1729

British politician;

Don't just read it — keep itBiographies to ownE-book · Audio · Video From $7 →

About Robert Shafto

Lived 1690 – 1729 (aged 38–39). Robert Shafto was a politician.

Robert Shafto (2 December 1690 – December 1729), of Whitworth Hall, Spennymoor, County Durham, was a British Tory politician who sat in the House of Commons between 1712 and 1729.

Shafto was the eldest son of Mark Shafto of Whitworth and his wife Margaret Ingleby, daughter of Sir John Ingleby, 2nd Baronet of Ripley, Yorkshire. He matriculated at Lincoln College, Oxford in 1708.

Shafto was returned as Member of Parliament (MP) for the City of Durham at a by-election on 3 March 1712. On 10 April 1713 he was appointed to help prepare a bill making Stockton, Durham, a separate parish and on 18 June 1713 he voted against the French commerce bill. He did not stand at the 1713 British general election.

Shafto succeeded his father in 1723 and married Dorothy Dawnay, daughter of Henry Dawnay, 2nd Viscount Downe on 17 October 1723. He became a Freeman of Durham in 1726.

Shafto died without issue in December 1729 and was succeeded by his brother John.

His Grandfather was also named Robert Shafto, Recorder of Newcastle and his great-grandfather of the same name was Sheriff of Newcastle. His Great-Great-Grandfather, Robert Eden, was Sheriff of Newcastle as well. His Great-Great-Great-Grandfather, Mark Shafto was Mayor of Newcastle.

Biography shop

Don’t just read it —
keep it.

Full-length biographies made to live with: read them, listen on the way to work, watch them tonight.

  • E-book
  • Audio
  • Video
Browse the shop — from $7

Instant download · yours to keep · every purchase keeps this site free

Important facts

Birth century
Died
1729
Occupation
Positions held
Member of the 3rd Parliament of Great Britain, Member of the 7th Parliament of Great Britain, Member of the 6th Parliament of Great Britain

People in Robert Shafto's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Robert Shafto's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Robert Shafto?

British politician; (1690-1729)

When was Robert Shafto born?

Robert Shafto was born on 2 December 1690.

When did Robert Shafto die?

Robert Shafto died in 1729.

What was Robert Shafto's occupation?

Robert Shafto was a politician.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Robert Shafto

· Wikidata: Q7349707

· DBpedia: Robert Shafto (1690–1729)

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Robert Shafto. https://biography.guide/robert-shafto/

MLA: "Robert Shafto." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/robert-shafto/.

Chicago: "Robert Shafto." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/robert-shafto/.

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

Page generated 2026-09-27 05:07 UTC