Robert Jocelyn, Viscount Jocelyn

Robert Jocelyn, Viscount Jocelyn (20 February 1816 – 12 August 1854), was a British military officer and politician affiliated with the Conservative Party.

**Early Life and Family Background**

He was born at Carlton Gardens in London and was the eldest son of Robert Jocelyn, the 3rd Earl of Roden, and the Honorable Maria Frances Catherine. His mother was a daughter of Thomas Stapleton, the 12th Baron le Despencer. As the heir apparent to the earldom, Jocelyn was styled as Viscount Jocelyn.

**Military Career**

Jocelyn served during the First Opium War, where he held the position of Military Secretary to Lord Saltoun. During or after his service in this conflict, he authored two publications detailing his experiences. His works include "Six Months with the Chinese Expedition; or, Leaves from a Soldier's Note-book," which was published in a second edition in 1841 by John Murray.

In 1853, Jocelyn was appointed Lieutenant-Colonel Commandant of the East Sussex Militia, a reserve military unit.

**Political Career**

He represented the constituency of King's Lynn as a Member of Parliament from 1842 until 1854. During his parliamentary tenure, Jocelyn served under Prime Minister Sir Robert Peel as Joint Secretary to the Board of Control from 1845 to 1846.

**Marriage and Family**

In 1841, Jocelyn married Lady Frances Elizabeth, the daughter of Peter Clavering-Cowper, the 5th Earl Cowper, and Emily Lamb. The couple had several children together.

**Death and Succession**

In 1854, while his regiment, the East Essex Militia, was quartered in the Tower of London, Jocelyn contracted cholera. He died in London on 12 August 1854 at the age of 38. He predeceased his father by 16 years. His eldest son, Robert, later inherited the earldom of Roden.

**Widow and Posthumous Details**

Lady Frances Elizabeth Jocelyn died in March 1880.

**References and External Links**

His parliamentary contributions are recorded in Hansard (1803–2005). Additional biographical information is available through Leigh Rayment's Historical List of MPs and archived sources at worldroots.com.