Dictionary of Indian Biography/Buckinghamshire, Robert Hobart, fourth Earl of
BUCKINGHAMSHIRE, ROBERT HOBART, FOURTH EARL OF (1760–1816)
Son of third Earl: born May 6, 1760: educated at Westminster: joined 7th regt., 1776: served in the American war: Major: M.P. in both the English and Irish Parliaments: Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, 1789–93: Privy Councillor, 1793: was, as Lord Hobartr Governor of Madras from Sep. 1794 to Feb. 1798: led an expedition to Malacca and destroyed the Dutch settlements: by his independence he came into antagonism with the Governor-General, Sir John Shore, over the affairs of the Nawab of the Carnatic, when Hobart desired to make financial reforms: the Court of Directors recalled him, but supported his action in Tanjore affairs: Hobart cooperated with the Governor-General against Tippoo: called up to the House of Lords, 1798: helped to arrange the union with Ireland, 1799: Secretary for War and the Colonies, 1801–4: became Earl, 1804: appointed President of the Board of Control, April 4, 1812: and spoke on the renewal of the E.I. Co.'s charter, 1813: died Feb. 4, 1816.