Sir Robert Heron, 2nd Baronet
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Sir Robert Heron, 2nd Baronet (1765-1854) was a British Whig politician and a notable figure in the early 19th century[1][2]. He was born on November 27, 1765, and was the only surviving son of Thomas Heron of Chilham Castle, Kent[2]. He inherited the baronetcy from his uncle, Sir Richard Heron, in 1805[2].
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Political Career
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Heron served as a Member of Parliament for Great Grimsby from 1812 to 1818 and for Peterborough from 1819 to 1847[1][2]. He was known for his liberal views and support for various reform measures, including Catholic emancipation and parliamentary reform[2]. Despite his long tenure in Parliament, he was often frustrated in his ambition to represent his county, Lincolnshire[2].
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Personal Life and Character
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Heron was described as an intelligent but quirky Lincolnshire squire with a "thin saturnine face and Roman cast of countenance"[2]. He was educated at St. John's College, Cambridge, and later undertook a Grand Tour of Europe[2]. He married Amelia Mann in 1792, but the couple had no children[2].
Impact on Newark
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Sir Robert Heron's impact on Newark is linked to his family's influence in the region. His father, Thomas Heron, was the recorder of Newark, and the Heron family held significant estates in the area[2]. Although Sir Robert himself did not have a direct political role in Newark, his family's prominence and his own political activities would have contributed to the local political and social landscape.
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Heron's liberal views and support for reform would have resonated with the progressive elements in Newark, influencing local politics and contributing to the broader movement for political and social change in the early 19th century[2].
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Overall, Sir Robert Heron, 2nd Baronet, was a significant figure in British politics, and his family's legacy in Newark reflects their longstanding influence in the region.
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References
[1] Sir Robert Heron, 2nd Baronet - Wikipedia
[2] HERON, Sir Robert, 2nd. Bt. (1765-1854), of Stubton Hall, nr. Grantham ...
