Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Barton, Robert
BARTON, Sir ROBERT (1770–1853), general, was son of William Barton, Esq., of the Grove, co. Tipperary, and was born in 1770. Being in the south of France in 1790, he, like other Englishmen there, enrolled himself as a volunteer in the national guard, and received the thanks of the National Convention for his conduct at Moissac during the disorders at Montauban. Having returned to England he obtained a commission in the 11th light dragoons, with which he served under the Duke of York in 1795, and again in Holland in 1799, where he received the thanks of Sir Ralph Abercromby for his services on 8 Sept. at Oude Carspel. He became lieutenant-colonel 2nd life guards in 1805, and commanded the regiment at the time of the Burdett riots in 1810, when the life guards acquired so much unpopularity. He also commanded the two squadrons of the regiment subsequently sent to the Peninsula, where he served for a time. He was promoted to general's rank in 1819, and was knighted in 1837. He died in London on 17 March 1853.
[Gent. Mag. 1853; Army Lists.]