Sir Robert Buxton, 1st Baronet

Sir Robert John Buxton, 1st Baronet (27 October 1753 – 7 June 1839)[1] was a politician who sat in the House of Commons between 1790 and 1806.

Buxton was born at Rushford, Norfolk, the son of John Buxton and his wife Elizabeth Jacob and grandson of John Buxton who designed and built Shadwell Lodge at Rushford.[2] The Norfolk Buxtons are thought to have taken their name from the Norfolk village of that name and to have descended from Robert Buxton MP (1533-1607) an attorney in the service of Thomas Duke of Norfolk. His father was an ill-tempered character during his last years, which made the relationship between father and son increasingly difficult. Buxton was expelled from Shadwell and his father severely cut his income after he married without his father's consent. They were reconciled by 1779, three years before his father's death.[3]

Buxton was elected Member of Parliament (MP) for Thetford in 1790 and held the seat until 1796.[1] In 1797 he was elected MP for Great Bedwyn and held the seat until 1806.[4] He was a loyal supporter of William Pitt. He campaigned openly for the abolition of slavery throughout his political career, and on several occasions advocated prison reform. In 1802, he supported Sir Robert Peel's proposals to regulate child labour. On behalf of the landed interest, he opposed measures such as the regulation of labourers' wages or the sale of corn in the public market. He was a fervent patriot and supported the government's war effort where possible. He backed the increase of the militia and the Additional Force Act of 1804.[3] He was created 1st Baronet Buxton, of Shadwell Lodge, co. Norfolk [Great Britain] on 25 November 1800.

Buxton died at age 85 at Shadwell Lodge, Norfolk.

He married Juliana Mary Beevor, daughter of Sir Thomas Beevor, 1st Bt. and Elizabeth Branthwaite, on 22 May 1777 at St. George's Church, St. George Street, Hanover Square, London.[2] His son John succeeded to the baronetcy.

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Parliament of Great Britain
Preceded by
Sir Charles Kent
George Jennings
Member of Parliament for Thetford
1790 1796
With: Joseph Randyll Burch
Succeeded by
John Harrison
Joseph Randyll Burch
Preceded by
John Wodehouse
Thomas Bruce
Member of Parliament for Great Bedwyn
17961801
With: John Wodehouse 1797-1801
Succeeded by
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by
Parliament of Great Britain
Member of Parliament for Great Bedwyn
18011806
With: John Wodehouse 1801 - 1802
Sir Nathaniel Holland 1802-1806
Succeeded by
Viscount Stopford
James Henry Leigh
Baronetage of Great Britain
New creation Baronet
of Shadwell Lodge, Norfolk
1800 1839
Succeeded by
John Buxton
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