Robert Worsley

Sir Robert Worsley, 4th Baronet (circa 1669 – 1747), was a British politician and landowner. He was the eldest son of Sir Robert Worsley, 3rd Baronet, and his wife Mary Herbert, daughter of Hon. James Herbert of Kingsey, Buckinghamshire. Worsley's father was a Member of Parliament (MP) of Appuldurcombe. In 1676, at approximately seven years old, Worsley succeeded to the baronetcy and inherited the manor of Appuldurcombe following his father's death.

He matriculated at Christ Church, Oxford, on 17 December 1684, at the age of 15. On 13 August 1690, Worsley married Frances Thynne, daughter of Thomas Thynne, 1st Viscount Weymouth, of Longleat, Wiltshire, by license.

From 1699 to 1702, Worsley served as Deputy Lieutenant of Hampshire. In 1702, he initiated the rebuilding of Appuldurcombe House, a family estate established in 1527. The architect responsible for the reconstruction was John James.

Worsley's political interests included the parliamentary seat of Newtown on the Isle of Wight. His brother, Henry Worsley, represented the same seat commencing in 1705. When Henry was appointed as Ambassador to Portugal in 1713, Robert Worsley stood in his brother's place at the 1715 general election and was elected as MP for Newtown. He served as a placeholder for his brother during his diplomatic mission.

Politically, Worsley was classed as a Tory but frequently voted with the Whigs. He supported the Administration on the Peerage Bill, but voted against the Septennial Bill and the repeal of the Occasional Conformity and Schism Acts. He did not seek re-election in 1722, as his brother Henry had another diplomatic posting as Governor of Barbados.

Sir Robert Worsley died on 29 July 1747. He had seven daughters who survived him but no male heir. His mainland Hampshire estate was inherited by Robert Carteret, 3rd Earl Granville, the son of his daughter Frances. The baronetcy was inherited by his cousin, James Worsley. He never saw his house at Appuldurcombe fully completed; the estate passed in trust to Sir Thomas Worsley, 6th Baronet, the son of James Worsley. A monument in his memory was erected on Stenbury Down, overlooking Appuldurcombe House.