Major-General Robert Clive, 1st Baron Clive, KB, FRS (29 September 1725 – 22 November 1774)
Robert was classed as 'out of measure' as a boy, always fighting and known for climbing buildings and churches to show his fearlessness.
At 18 he was sent to India with a position secured by his father with the East India Company. He spent the next two years working as an assistant shopkeeper. He was established at Fort St George near the village of Madraspatnam (Madras), now known under its original name of Chennai.
India was an unstable place with the French, Dutch, Portuguese and British all after control of the trade route and riches available in Bengal.
On 4 September 1746, Madras was attacked by French forces led by La Bourdonnais. The fort was soon captured and the remaining British residents were asked to take an oath not to take up arms against the French. Clive and some others all refused and were put under guard.
They soon escaped and on arrival at Fort St David Clive enlisted in the Company Army. The following year he was recognised for his contribution to the defence of the fort and promoted to Ensign.
Following news of the Peace of Aix-la-Chapelle. Madras was returned to the British.
Clive was further engaged and distinguished himself in several small battles and sieges.
During the second Carnatic War he was given command of an expedition to seize Argot, the capital of the Carnatic and hold it. He took his force of just 200 Europeans and 300 native soldiers, and with a few guns, divided the enemy's forces. Clive took the fort and proceeded to hold it against all the odds.
For 2 months the young captain inspired his men to hold the citadel, until a final, desperate assault, spearheaded by elephants, were driven off with just 6 casualties for his forces, to several hundred for the enemy.
This exploit won him reputation. Back in England, Prime Minister Pitt pronounced the youth of 27 a "heaven-born general".
Along with Lawrence, they finally subdued the area and by 1754 had negotiated a split of possessions with the French and a new Nazim was allowed to rule the Carnatic area.
Clive left India and returned to England as a hero and rich young man. He also married and bought estates for his family.
In 1755 Clive returned to India but disaster struck on the way and the ship carrying his valuables and £33000 in gold coins sank. About £4million in today’s value.
Clive commanded the troop during the war with Siraj Ud Daulah and with some secret deals between himself and Mir Jafar not only won but gained £160000 for himself and £1million for the company (£4 billion today). Mir Jafar also gave Clive a income of £27,000 a year for life from estates but when he finally died, left an agreed amount of £70000. This was an incredible amount at the time. Clive donated a lot to injured soldiers and their welfare.
Clive gave £500 a year to help Lawrence out in his retirement.
Clive returned to England and at the age of 34 went into parliament. There was a Parliamentary inquiry after which Clive was criticised for accepting huge payments, mainly from the Indian leaders he supported or helped into power, although it was acknowledged that he "did at the same time render great and meritorious services to his country". This lasted a year and caused him great upset.
His health was also quite bad and he took opium for his pain.
Clive did spend another spell in India when required to control uprisings but finally lived in London.
On 22 November, 1774, he was found dead at his home in Berkeley Square, London. Accounts differ, but due to the stigma around suicide, none were proven. Shot, cut throat or drugs overdose were all speculated.
He was buried in an unmarked grave at a church in Moreton.
He had single-handedly secured the beginning of the British Empire and British rule over India for 200 years.
