Robert Paston, 1st Earl of Yarmouth, FRS (29 May 1631 – 8 March 1683) was an English politician, nobleman and scientist. The Paston family had a long history. His father William (died 1663), was created a baronet in 1642, and on his death was succeeded in the title by Robert. Robert was subsequently created a Viscount and then became an Earl. Robert's son William (1654–1732) married an illegitimate daughter of Charles II. Both Robert and his son were in high favour with the Stuarts.
He was Member of Parliament(MP) for Castle Rising from 1661 to 1673, when he had to relinquish his seat on being elevated to the peerage as Viscount Yarmouth. He was succeeded as the MP by Samuel Pepys. He was appointed Lord Lieutenant of Norfolk on 6 March 1676, retaining the office until his death. He was created the 1st Earl of Yarmouth in 1679.
Following the creation of the Royal Society in 1660, he was accepted as an Original Fellow on 20 May 1663. With another Fellow, Thomas Henshaw, he attempted to discover a formula for the fabled "red elixir", another name for the philosopher's stone which alchemists believed could transmute base metals into gold.[1]
There is a painting in the Castle Museum, Norwich of Robert Paston's belongings, called The Paston Treasure.[2]
Richmond Green was a popular venue for cricket matches during the 17th and 18th centuries. The earliest reference to cricket there is from a letter in May 1666 by Sir Robert, who was a resident of Richmond at the time. The letter, to his wife, mentions "a game of criquett on Richmond Green".[3]
| Parliament of England | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Robert Steward William Stene |
Member of Parliament for Thetford with Sir Philip Wodehouse, Bt 1660–1661 |
Succeeded by Sir Allen Apsley William Gawdy |
| Preceded by Sir John Holland, Bt John Spelman |
Member of Parliament for Castle Rising with Robert Steward 1661–1673 Sir John Trevor 1673 1661–1673 |
Succeeded by Sir John Trevor Samuel Pepys |
| Honorary titles | ||
| Preceded by The Viscount Townshend |
Lord Lieutenant of Norfolk 1676–1683 |
Succeeded by Earl of Arundel and Surrey |
| Vice-Admiral of Norfolk 1676–1683 |
Vacant
Title next held by
Sir Henry Hobart |
|
| Peerage of England | ||
| New creation | Earl of Yarmouth 1679–1683 |
Succeeded by William Paston |
| Viscount Yarmouth 1673–1683 |
||
| Baronetage of England | ||
| Preceded by William Paston |
Baronet (of Paston and Oxnead, Norfolk) 1663–1683 |
Succeeded by William Paston |