Name Matthew 4th | Died 1831 | |
Matthew Montagu, 4th Baron Rokeby (23 November 1762 – Montagu House, Portman Square, 1 September 1831), FRS, 6th Bart., known as Matthew Robinson until 1776, was a British Member of Parliament, and briefly a baronet and Peer of the Realm.
Contents
- Matthew Montagu William Wilberforce and Sandleford
- Fellow of the Royal Society
- Wife and children
- References
Montagu was born Matthew Robinson, the son of Morris Robinson of the Six Clerks' Office, Chancery Lane and nephew of Matthew Robinson, 2nd Baron Rokeby.
He was Elizabeth Robinson aka Mrs. Montagu's favoured nephew, under whose wish he took the name of Montagu in 1776. He changed his name and arms by Royal Licence to Montagu in advance of inheriting the estate of his paternal aunt at Sandleford Priory in Berkshire, and elsewhere, on 3 June 1776. Wraxall in his Memoir described Montagu's upbringing by his aunt: At her feet he was brought up, a school more adapted to form a man of taste and improvement than a statesman or a man of the world. Aside from his aunt's valuable training he was educated at Harrow and Trinity College, Cambridge. A 'faithful follower of Pitt', he represented the Cornish constituencies of Bossiney (1786–90), Tregony (1790–95) in the Parliament of Great Britain and St Germans (1806–12) in the Parliament of the United Kingdom.
Matthew Montagu, William Wilberforce, and Sandleford
Montagu was a friend and supporter of William Wilberforce, and thus favoured the abolition of the slave trade. Wilberforce, stayed at Sandleford, 27–28 July 1789:
27th. Set off for Bath and reached Sandleford. The old lady [Elizabeth Montagu] wonderfully spirited, are all very kind in their reception. 28th. Almost compelled to stay with the Montagus all day. Mrs. Montagu senior has many fine, and great, and amiable qualities. Young Montagu all gratitude and respect and affection to her and of most upright and pure intentions.Wilberforce was at Sandleford one night in July 1791:
Monday 28 July. Off betimes on Sierra Leone business-reached Sandleford (M. Montagu's) in the evening. Dr. Beattie was already arrived.Fellow of the Royal Society
Montagu was elected a fellow in 1795, when he was described as: Matthew Montagu, Esq., of Manchester Square, Member of Parliament, a Gentleman well versed in many branches of Literature and Science. His proposers were: Arden; Lucas Pepys; J Rennell; John Sinclair; G Shuckburgh Evelyn; Wm Marsden; Morton; Pat Russell; G Atwood; John Henniker Major; and C F Greville.
Wife and children
He married on 9 July 1785, Elizabeth (died 7 March 1817), daughter and heir of Francis Charlton of Kent, who bore him six sons and seven daughters: