A Naval Biographical Dictionary/FitzRoy, Robert
FITZROY. (Capt., 1834. f-p., 17; h-p., 11.)
Robert FitzRoy, born in June, 1805, is second and youngest surviving son of General Lord Chas. FitzRoy, who died 20 Dec. 1829, by his second wife, Frances Ann eldest daughter of Robert, first Marquess of Londonderry; brother of Geo. FitzRoy, Esq., an officer in the 1st Life Guards; nephew of Rear-Admiral Lord Wm. FitzRoy, K.C.B.; and first cousin of the present Duke of Grafton.
This officer entered the Navy 19 Oct. 1819; obtained his first commission 7 Sept. 1824; served afterwards under Capts. Sir John Phillimore and Arthur Batt Bingham, in the Thetis frigate, on the Mediterranean and South American stations; and in Aug. 1828 became Flag-Lieutenant at Rio Janeiro to Rear-Admiral Robt. Waller Otway. From 13 Nov. in the latter year, on which date he was promoted to the rank of Commander, until the close of 1836, Capt. FitzRoy, whose Post-commission bears date 3 Dec. 1834, commanded the Beagle Surveying-vessel on the coast of South America.[1] He has not since been officially afloat. Capt. FitzRoy sat, in 1841, as M.P. for the city of Durham; was appointed, 21 Sept. 1842, Acting-Conservator of the River Mersey; and, since 3 April, 1843, has filled the post of Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the colony of New Zealand. He married, 8 Dec. 1836, Mary Henrietta, second daughter of the late Major-General Edw. Jas. O’Brien, by whom he has issue. Agents – Messrs. Stilwell.
- ↑ See ‘Narrative of a Ten Years’ Voyage of Discovery round the World by H.M. Ships Adventure and Beagle,’ written by Capt. FitzRoy, in connexion with Capt. Philip Parker King, R.N. 8vo. Lond. 2 vols. Colburn, 1841.