Robert Walpole

Robert Walpole was born on 18 November 1650 at Houghton Hall in Norfolk, England. He was the son of Edward Walpole (died 1668) and Susan Crane. The Walpole family had occupied Houghton Hall for over four decades. His father was a supporter of the Restoration of King Charles II and was subsequently made a Knight of the Bath.

In 1671, Robert Walpole married Mary Burwell, the daughter and heiress of Sir Geoffrey Burwell of Rougham, Suffolk. They had nineteen children, of whom nine survived childhood. Their children included:

- Edward Walpole (1674–1698)

- Burwell Walpole (1675–1690), killed at the Battle of Beachy Head

- Robert Walpole, 1st Earl of Orford (1676–1745), who became a prominent statesman and is recognized as the first Prime Minister of Great Britain

- John Walpole (born 1677)

- Horatio Walpole, 1st Baron Walpole (1678–1757), who served as a Member of Parliament for fifty-four years and held various diplomatic and governmental positions

- Christopher Walpole (died in infancy)

- Galfridus Walpole (1683–1726)

- Mordaunt Walpole (1688–1689)

- Charles Walpole (born 1691)

- William Walpole (born 1693)

- Several daughters, including Susan, Mary, Elizabeth, Dorothy, and another Susan

Robert Walpole served as a Member of Parliament for Castle Rising from 1689 until his death in 1700. He was regarded as an influential Whig politician in Norfolk and Parliament. He also held the position of Deputy Lieutenant for Norfolk during the tenure of Henry Howard, 7th Duke of Norfolk, as Lord Lieutenant.

In 1668, Walpole borrowed a German biography book about the Archbishop of Bremen from the library of Sidney Sussex College. This book was not returned for nearly 288 years until it was rediscovered in 1956 by his descendant, the 5th Marquess of Cholmondeley, along with Professor John H. Plumb. The book was then returned to the library at Houghton.

Robert Walpole's legacy includes being the father of Britain's first Prime Minister, as well as being an ancestor to all the Barons Walpole, Earls of Orford, and the current Marquess of Cholmondeley, owner of Houghton Hall. He is also recorded in the Guinness World Records for having the longest overdue public library book.

He passed away on his 50th birthday, 18 November 1700.