Patrick Robertson (politician)
Patrick Francis Robertson | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Meigle, Perthshire, Scotland |
| Died | January 20, 1885 (aged 77) Hampstead, Middlesex, England |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, politician |
| Years active | 19th century |
| Known for | Business career in trade between East India and China; Conservative MP for Hastings |
Patrick Francis Robertson (24 August 1807 – 20 January 1885) was a British entrepreneur and a Liberal Conservative MP representing the constituency of Hastings in East Sussex.
Early life
Robertson was born on 24 August 1807 in Meigle, Perthshire, Scotland, as the firstborn son of Daniel Robertson, who served as a professor of Oriental Languages at St. Mary's College, and Isabella Small. His maternal grandfather, Alexander Small, held the position of Minister at Newtyle and Kilconquhar. Following the death of his mother when he was four years old, he and his siblings were brought up by their aunt, Cecilia Small.
Business career
After completing his studies at the University of St. Andrews, Robertson pursued a career in trade between East India and China, through which he accumulated substantial wealth. He spent part of his career in Canton, China, and occupied significant roles such as sub-governor of the London Assurance Corporation, chairman of a department at the Bank of Egypt, and director positions with both the Oriental Bank and the Ceylon Company. Within Hastings, he was recognized for undertaking major real estate development initiatives.
Political career
In addition to his business ventures, Robertson held civic responsibilities as Deputy-Lieutenant of Sussex and Justice of the Peace for Hastings. Although he failed to secure a parliamentary seat in 1847, he was elected as Conservative MP for Hastings in 1852 and served until 1859. He reclaimed this seat in 1865 but chose to retire from Parliament in 1868. Attempts to re-enter Parliament in 1869 and again in 1874 did not succeed.
Death and legacy
Patrick Francis Robertson remained unmarried throughout his life and passed away on 20 January 1885 in Hampstead, Middlesex, England.
His former estate in Hastings on Old London Road, known as Halton House, has since been demolished; however, the hill where it once stood is named Robertson Hill. Furthermore, Robertson Street and Robertson Terrace—components of a significant property development under his ownership—carry his name as a lasting tribute.