Robert Spencer, 4th Earl of Sunderland

Robert Spencer, 4th Earl of Sunderland (24 October 1701 – 15 September 1729) was a British peer from the Spencer family, the son of Whig politician Charles Spencer, 3rd Earl of Sunderland. His mother was Lady Anne Churchill, the daughter of John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough, and Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough. Known as Lord Spencer between 1702 and 1722, he succeeded to the Earldom after his father's death in 1722, but died in 1729 with no children. Therefore, his brother, Charles, became 5th Earl of Sunderland, and subsequently 3rd Duke of Marlborough after the death of his aunt, Henrietta Godolphin (née Churchill), 2nd Duchess of Marlborough.

Robert Spencer
Earl of Sunderland
Tenure	19 April 1722 – 15 September 1729
Predecessor	Charles Spencer, 3rd Earl of Sunderland
Successor	Charles Spencer, 3rd Duke of Marlborough
Born	24 October 1701
Died	15 September 1729(1729-09-15) (aged 27)
Noble family	Spencer
Father	Charles Spencer, 3rd Earl of Sunderland
Mother	Lady Anne Churchill

References

• Henry L. Snyder, ‘Spencer, Charles, third earl of Sunderland (1675–1722)’, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, Sept 2004; online edn, May 2006 accessed 8 Sept 2007

Peerage of England
Preceded by Charles Spencer	Earl of Sunderland 1722 – 1729	Succeeded by Charles Spencer