Matthew Montagu, 4th Baron Rokeby

Montagu was born Matthew Robinson, the son of Morris Robinson of the Six Clerks' Office, Chancery Lane, and nephew of Matthew Robinson, 2nd Baron Rokeby.

He was the favoured nephew of Elizabeth (Robinson) Montagu, known as Mrs. Montagu, under whose wish he took the name of Montagu in 1776. He changed his name and arms by Royal Licence to Montagu in advance of inheriting the estate of his paternal aunt at Sandleford Priory in Berkshire, and elsewhere, on 3 June 1776. Wraxall in his Memoir described Montagu's upbringing by his aunt: "At her feet he was brought up, a school more adapted to form a man of taste and improvement than a statesman or a man of the world".[1] Aside from his aunt's training, he was educated at Harrow School and Trinity College, Cambridge.

A "faithful follower of Pitt", Montagu represented the Cornish constituencies of Bossiney (1786–1790) and Tregony (1790–1795) in the Parliament of Great Britain; and St Germans (1806–1812) in the Parliament of the United Kingdom.[2]

He succeeded his brother in 1829 as 4th Baron Rokeby in the Irish peerage.

A view south from Newtown or Sandleford by George Arnald (1763–1841), Wood gatherers, with Highclere Castle, and Beacon and Siddon hills in the distance, 1805.

Montagu was a friend and supporter of William Wilberforce, and thus favoured the abolition of the slave trade.[3] Wilberforce, stayed at Sandleford, 27–28 July 1789:

27th. Set off for Bath and reached Sandleford. The old lady [Elizabeth Montagu] wonderfully spirited, are all very kind in their reception. 28th. Almost compelled to stay with the Montagus all day. Mrs. Montagu senior has many fine, and great, and amiable qualities. Young Montagu all gratitude and respect and affection to her and of most upright and pure intentions.[4]

Wilberforce was at Sandleford one night in July 1791:

Monday 28 July. Off betimes on Sierra Leone business-reached Sandleford (M. Montagu's) in the evening. Dr. Beattie was already arrived.[5]

Montagu was elected a fellow in 1795, when he was described as: Matthew Montagu, Esq., of Manchester Square, Member of Parliament, a Gentleman well versed in many branches of Literature and Science. His proposers were: Arden; Lucas Pepys; J Rennell; John Sinclair; G Shuckburgh Evelyn; Wm Marsden; Morton; Pat Russell; G Atwood; John Henniker Major; and C F Greville.[6]

Sandleford Priory (west front). Montagu inherited the lease from his renowned aunt.

He married on 9 July 1785, Elizabeth (died 7 March 1817), daughter and heir of Francis Charlton of Kent, who bore him six sons and seven daughters:[7]

• Edward Montagu, 5th Baron Rokeby (1787–1847);
• Francis-William;[8]
• William (died 1815);[8]
• Lt.-Col. Hon. John Montagu, Coldstream Guards (died 1843);[9]
• Henry Robinson-Montagu, 6th Baron Rokeby (1798–1883);
• Hon. Spencer Dudley Montagu (1807–1882), late clerk to the Secretary to Ireland, of Wargrave;
• Hon. Caroline Montagu (died 1867), married (1843) Lt. the Hon. William Godolphin Osborne (1804–1888), a son of Francis Osborne, 1st Baron Godolphin;
• Hon. Elizabeth Montagu (died 1875), married Charles Oldfield Bowles;
• Hon. Catherine Montagu (died 1865), married Edward Goulburn (1787–1868), of the Royal Horse Guards; he wrote The Blueviad, a satyrical poem;[10][11]
• Hon. Jane Montagu (died 1857), married (1811) Rt. Hon. Henry Goulburn, MP; Goulburn, New South Wales, was named after him;[12]
• Hon. Mary Montagu (died 1877), married (1820) Colonel Robert Ellison, Grenadier Guards;
• Hon. Eleanor Montagu (died 1847), married John-Nicholas Fazakerley, esq., MP;[8]
• Hon. Emily Montagu (died 1832).

• Brooke, John (1964). "MONTAGU, Matthew (1762–1831), of Manchester Sq., London". In Namier, Sir Lewis; Brooke, John (eds.). The House of Commons 1754-1790. The History of Parliament Trust.

• Thorne, R. G. (1986). "MONTAGU, Matthew (1762–1831), of Sandleford Priory, nr. Newbury, Berks. and Montagu House, Portman Square, Mdx.". In Thorne, R. G. (ed.). The House of Commons 1790-1820. The History of Parliament Trust.