Constituency : Fife 1864-80, St Andrews Burghs 1885-86
Robert came in at Fife to replace the deceased James Wemyss.
Robert was a baronet ; a number of his forefathers had been MPs for Fife before him. He was educated at Harrow. He joined the Grenadier Guards and rose to the rank of lieutenant-colonel.
In 1870 Sir Robert spoke out against the Irish land bill as a violation of the law of contract and something that would have to be extended to England if passed.
In 1880 Robert was displaced at Fife. He switched to St Andrews Burghs for the 1885 election. He scored the exact same number of votes as the sitting Liberal Steven Williamson but after a scrutiny of the papers the result was given to him.
Sir Robert declined to contest the 1886 election on account of his health and his son Henry won the seat as a Liberal Unionist. Sir Robert died shortly afterwards aged 51.
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