Robert Harley Biography

Historical biography and chronological timeline for Robert Harley, based on 12 World History Database records associated with England.

12 records1700–171310 events2 places

Chronological biography

1700

Leadership1700

Politics / Tory Party · Member of Parliament · Westminster

Robert Harley emerges as a key Tory manager in the House of Commons.

Speaker of House of Commons1700

Government / Government of England · Speaker of House of Commons

Appointed Speaker of the House of Commons

Speaker of House of Commons1700

Government / Government of England · Speaker of House of Commons · Westminster

Robert Harley is chosen Speaker of the House of Commons.

1701

Speaker of House of Commons10 February 1701

Government / Government of England · Speaker of House of Commons · London

Harley is chosen Speaker when the new Parliament assembles.

1702

Speaker Continues1702

Government / Government of England · Speaker of House of Commons · London

Harley remains Speaker of the House of Commons during Anne's first Parliament.

1704

Secretary of State1704

Government / Government of England · Speaker · Secretary of State · London

Harley becomes Secretary of State and gains influence over war policy under Queen Anne.

1708

Resignation of Robert HarleyFebruary 1708

Government / Government of Great Britain · Secretary · London

Harley leaves office after political conflict inside the war ministry.

1710

Chancellor of the ExchequerAugust 1710

Government / Government of Great Britain · Minister · Chancellor · London

Harley returns to power as Chancellor of the Exchequer after the fall of the Whig ministry.

1711

Peace Negotiations1711

Government / Government of Great Britain · Earl · Lord Treasurer · London

Harley directs secret peace negotiations that weaken support for Marlborough's continental war.

Peace Policy1711

Warfare / War of the Spanish Succession · Earl · Minister · London

Moves the government toward a negotiated peace.

Lord TreasurerMay 1711

Government / Government of Great Britain · Earl · Lord Treasurer · London

Harley becomes Lord Treasurer and leads the ministry seeking peace with France.

1713

Utrecht Settlement11 April 1713

Warfare / War of the Spanish Succession · Earl · Lord Treasurer · London

Backs the ministry's peace settlement with France and Spain.

Titles and roles

Earl · Lord Treasurer · Earl · Minister · Member of Parliament · Minister · Chancellor · Secretary · Speaker of House of Commons · Speaker · Secretary of State

Record provenance

This biography is assembled from World History Database records filtered by country and personal-name fields. Exact duplicate display records are removed. The database is an index rather than a complete narrative biography; formal research should verify entries against relevant primary or specialist sources.