Benedict Calvert, 4th Baron Baltimore

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Benedict Leonard Calvert, 4th Baron Baltimore
Benedict Leonard Calvert, 4th Baron Baltimore

Benedict Leonard Calvert, 4th Baron Baltimore (March 21, 1679April 16, 1715) was an English nobleman and politician. He was the second son of Charles Calvert, 3rd Baron Baltimore and became his father's heir upon the death of his elder brother, Cecil in 1681.

He married Lady Charlotte Lee, daughter of the 1st Earl of Lichfield by his wife, the former Lady Charlotte FitzRoy, the illegitimate daughter of King Charles II. They had seven children.

Calvert's father had lost title to the Province of Maryland due to the Glorious Revolution. He attempted to have the title restored by renouncing Roman Catholicism and joining the Church of England. He was subsequently elected to the House of Commons as Member of Parliament for Harwich.

He became the 4th Baron Baltimore upon the death of his father in February 1715 and immediately petitioned King George I for the restoration of Maryland to his control; however, before the King could rule on the petition Baltimore died. Shortly after his death the King restored title to Maryland to his son, the 5th Baron Baltimore.

[edit] Trivia

His great-granddaughter Eleanor {Calvert} Custis was the grandmother of Mary Anna Custis Lee the wife of Robert Edward Lee of the Lee family of Virginia. Ironically the 1st Earl of Litchfield was a descendant of Sir Henry Lee of Ditchley.

Parliament of Great Britain
Preceded by
Carew Harvey Mildmay
Thomas Heath
Member of Parliament for Harwich
with Carew Harvey Mildmay

1714–1715
Succeeded by
Sir Philip Parker-a-Morley-Long, Bt
Thomas Heath
Peerage of Ireland
Preceded by
Charles Calvert
Baron Baltimore
1715
Succeeded by
Charles Calvert
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