Name Robert 4th | ||
Robert Henry King, 4th Earl of Kingston (4 October 1796 – 21 January 1867), styled The Honourable Robert King until 1837 and Viscount Kingsborough between 1837 and 1839, was an Irish peer, soldier and Whig politician.
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Background and education
Kingston was the second but eldest surviving son of George King, 3rd Earl of Kingston, and Lady Helena, daughter of Stephen Morre, 1st Earl of Mount Cashell. He was educated at Exeter College, Oxford.
Military career
Kingston served in the British army in occupied France after the fall of the Emperor Napoleon.
Political career
Kingston was returned to Parliament for County Cork in 1826 (succeeding his elder brother Lord Kingsborough), a seat he held until 1832. In 1836 he was High Sheriff of County Cork. He gained the courtesy title Viscount Kingsborough on the death of his brother in 1837 and succeeded in the earldom on the death of his father in 1839.
Family
Lord Kingston was arrested in March 1848 for assault and intent to commit an 'unnatural offence' involving a young man named Cull, which took place behind Marylebone police station. Although sent for trial, he failed to surrender to bail. Lord Kingston died in January 1867, aged 70. He was unmarried and was succeeded in the earldom by his younger brother, James.