Robert Clives Family Background
Early Life and Ancestry
Robert Clive was born on 29 September 1725 to Richard Clive and Rebecca Gaskell Clive in Styche Hall, a small estate owned by his family near Market Drayton in Shropshire. The Clive family had a long history in the gentry of England, with roots tracing back to the Norman conquest.
Richard Clive was a lawyer and his mother, Rebecca, was the daughter of Nathaniel Gaskell, a wealthy merchant from Manchester. Robert was the eldest of thirteen children, but only six of his siblings survived to adulthood. The Clive family, although not wealthy, belonged to the minor gentry and had a respectable social standing.
Education
Robert Clive's education began at home under the guidance of a private tutor. Later, he was sent to the Market Drayton Grammar School, and then to two merchant-tailor schools in London, where he showed little interest in academics. Instead, he was known for his daring and adventurous spirit, often leading his peers in various pranks and escapades.
Family's Financial Struggles
In the early 1740s, the Clive family faced financial difficulties due to the failure of the South Sea Company, in which they had invested heavily. This led to a significant reduction in their income and forced them to seek alternative sources of revenue. Robert Clive, being the eldest son, was expected to contribute to the family's income. As a result, at the age of 18, he was sent to Madras, India, to work as a writer (the lowest rank of clerk) for the British East India Company.
The East India Company
The East India Company was a powerful trading corporation established by the English in India. It held a monopoly over English trade with the East Indies and had its own army and administrative structures. Clive's work with the company in Madras marked the beginning of his military and administrative career in India.
Marriage and Children
In 1753, Robert Clive married Margaret Maskelyne, the sister of Nevil Maskelyne, the fifth Astronomer Royal. They had nine children, but only five survived to adulthood. Their eldest son, Edward Clive, later became the 1st Earl of Powis and inherited his father's titles and estates.
Legacy
Despite his humble origins and the financial struggles of his family, Robert Clive rose to become a key figure in the establishment of British rule in India. His military victories, particularly the Battle of Plassey in 1757, laid the foundation for the British Empire in India. His administrative reforms as the Governor of Bengal also had a lasting impact on the region.