Robert Dudley, styled Earl of Warwick
| Robert Dudley | |
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Robert Dudley, 1590s. Engraving after a portrait by Nicholas Hilliard
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| Born | 7 August 1574 Richmond Palace, Surrey |
| Died | 6 September 1649 (aged 75) Villa Rinieri, Italy |
| Resting place | San Pancrazio, Florence |
| Known for | Courtier, explorer, cartographer, shipbuilder, engineer |
| Notable work | Dell'Arcano del Mare |
| Spouse(s) | Margaret Cavendish Alice Leigh Elizabeth Southwell |
| Children |
By Alice: Carlo Dudley (recognized by the Emperor Ferdinand II as Duke of Northumberland) Ambrogio Dudley Ferdinando Dudley Teresa, Duchessa di Castiglione del Lago Cosimo Dudley Maria Christina, Marchesa Clivola Maria Magdalena, Marchesa Malaspina Antonio Dudley Enrico Dudley Anna Dudley Giovanni Dudley |
| Parent(s) |
Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester Lady Douglas Sheffield née Howard |
By Alice:
Alice Dudley
Douglas Dudley
Catherine Leveson
Frances Kniveton
Anne Dudley
Sir Robert Dudley (7 August 1574 – 6 September 1649) was an English explorer and cartographer. In 1594, he led an expedition to the West Indies, of which he wrote an account. The illegitimate son of Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester, he inherited the bulk of the Earl's estate in accordance with his father's will, including Kenilworth Castle. In 1603–1605, he tried unsuccessfully to establish his legitimacy in court. After that he left England forever, finding a new existence in the service of the Grand Dukes of Tuscany. There, he worked as an engineer and shipbuilder, and designed and published Dell'Arcano del Mare (1645-1646), the first maritime atlas to cover the whole world. He was also a skilled navigator and mathematician. In Italy, he styled himself "Earl of Warwick and Leicester", as well as "Duke of Northumberland", a title recognized by the Emperor Ferdinand II.
Robert Dudley was the son of Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester and his lover Douglas Sheffield, daughter of William Howard, 1st Baron Howard of Effingham. He grew up in the houses of his father and his father's friends, but had leave to see his mother whenever she wished. His mother married Sir Edward Stafford in November 1579, and then left for Paris. Leicester was fond of his son and often made trips to see him. Dudley was given an excellent education and was enrolled at Christ Church, Oxford, in 1587, with the status of filius comitis ("Earl's son"). There, his mentor was Thomas Chaloner, who also became his close friend. In 1588, when the Spanish Armada threatened England, the 14-year-old Robert joined his father, who was commanding the army at Tilbury Camp, preparing to resist a Spanish invasion, but on 4 September, the Earl of Leicester died. His will gave Dudley a large inheritance, including the castle and estate at Kenilworth, and on the death of his uncle, Ambrose Dudley, 3rd Earl of Warwick, the lordships of Denbigh and Chirk.
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