Robert Brudenell

For other people named Robert Brudenell, see Robert Brudenell (disambiguation).

Robert Brudenell (20 September 1726 20 October 1768) was a British army officer and Member of Parliament.

Brudenell was the third son of the 3rd Earl of Cardigan and a younger brother of the 1st Duke of Montagu and 4th Earl of Cardigan and the 5th Earl of Cardigan. He was educated at Winchester College and Oriel College, Oxford; on 27 January 1759, he married Anne Bishopp, a daughter of Sir Cecil Bishopp, 6th Baronet.

Brudenell was commissioned as Ensign in the First Foot Guards in 1748, promoted to Captain in 1751, Lieutenant-Colonel in 1758 and Colonel in 1762. In 1763 he became colonel of the 16th Regiment of Foot, a post he held until his death. He was also Lieutenant-Governor of Windsor Castle from 1752, and Vice-Chamberlain to Queen Charlotte from 1766 until his death.

He served as MP for Great Bedwyn from 1756–61 and for Marlborough from 1761-68. However, he took little interest in politics, generally supporting each successive administration so as to avoid any risk to his military advancement.

As he predeceased his childless elder brothers, Brudenell's son, Robert became the 6th Earl of Cardigan.

References

Parliament of Great Britain
Preceded by
Sir Robert Hildyard
William Sloper
Member of Parliament for Great Bedwyn
1756–1761
With: Sir Robert Hildyard
Succeeded by
Thomas Cotes
William Woodley
Preceded by
Hon. John Ward
Sir John Cotton
Member of Parliament for Marlborough
1761–1768
With: Lord Brudenell 1761–1762
Sir James Tylney-Long 1762–1768
Succeeded by
James Brudenell
Sir James Tylney-Long
Political offices
Preceded by
Viscount Cantelupe
Vice Chamberlain to Queen Charlotte
1766–1768
Succeeded by
Hon. Charles FitzRoy