Robert Clements, 1st Earl of Leitrim

Robert Clements, later First Earl of Leitrim, by Pompeo Batoni, about 1753-1754

Robert Clements, 1st Earl of Leitrim (25 November 1732 – 27 July 1804) was an Irish nobleman and politician.

Son of Cavan Borough MP Nathaniel Clements, Deputy Vice Treasurer and Teller of the Irish Exchequer, Clements served as High Sheriff of Leitrim in 1759, having been the previous year appointed as Controller of the Great and Small Customs for the Port of Dublin.

In 1765, he was elected to the Irish House of Commons for Donegal County, exchanging this seat for that of Carrick in 1768. In the former year he also married Lady Elizabeth Skeffington, eldest daughter of Clotworthy Skeffington, 1st Earl of Massereene. He was subsequently Commissioner of the Revenue between 1772 and 1773, and three years later returned MP for Donegal County again.

Having been appointed governor of Counties Leitrim and Donegal in 1777 and 1781 respectively, Clements was ennobled as Baron Leitrim in 1783. He was subsequently advanced to a viscountcy in 1794, and the following year was created Earl of Leitrim. In 1801, he became one of the first Irish representative peers, and was admitted to the Irish Privy Council the following year.

Lord Leitrim died aged 71 in London, and was buried in Dublin.

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