Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Berkeley, Robert (1713-1804)
BERKELEY, ROBERT (1713–1804), political writer, was son of Thomas Berkeley of Spetchley, Worcestershire, by Mary, daughter and heiress of Davis, of Clytha, Monmouthshire. He published 'Considerations on the Oath of Supremacy,' and 'Considerations on the Declaration against Transubstantiation,' both addressed to Dr. Josiah Tucker, dean of Gloucester. These were the result of their frequent conversations, and led to a friendly correspondence between them. It is presumed that Berkeley was the author of several other works, and that the catholic nobility and gentry were principally stimulated by him to present their petition to the king in 1778, which was followed by the repeal of the Act of the 11th William and Mary. The Rev. Thomas Phillips, author of the 'Life of Cardinal Pole,' resided as chaplain in the house of this gentleman, and there he wrote his celebrated work. Berkeley married first Anne, sister and co-heir of John Wyborne of Flixton, Norfolk; secondly, Catharine, daughter of Thomas Fitzherbert, of Swinnerton, Staffordshire; and thirdly, Elizabeth, daughter of Peter Parry, of Twysog, in Denbighshire. Dying without issue on 20 Dec. 1804, he was succeeded in the family estates by his nephew, Robert Berkeley, of Spetchley.
[Burke's Hist. of the Landed Gentry (1837), i. 471; Burke's Dict. of the Landed Gentry (1868), 90; Chambers's Illustr. of Worcestershire Biog. 501.]