Robert Melville, 1st Lord Melville

Robert Melville, 1st Lord Melville (c.1527–1621) was a Scottish diplomat, administrator, jurist, and intriguer, and uncle of the poet Elizabeth Melville.

Known as Sir Robert Melville of Murdocairnie or Murdochcairnie, Robert was the second son of Sir John Melville of Raith in Fife and Helen Napier of Merchiston. His younger brother Sir James Melville of Halhill wrote a famous political political memoir.

Robert married firstly; Katherine Adamson; secondly Mary Leslie, daughter of Andrew Leslie, Earl of Rothes; thirdly, Jean Stewart, daughter of Robert, Earl of Orkney. His heir was his son with Katherine Adamson, Robert Melville, 2nd Lord Melville.

During the Scottish Reformation, Robert Melville sided with the Protestant Lords of the Congregation. He was sent to England as a diplomat by Mary, Queen of Scots. He opposed her marriage to Henry, Lord Darnley and joined the rebellion called the Chaseabout Raid. Melville was sent to Elizabeth I of England as the rebel lords's envoy. He was forgiven by Mary and sent again to the English court as her diplomat.

Mary expelled the English diplomat Thomas Randolph and Elizabeth ordered Melville's return to Scotland on 15 March 1566. He arrived in Edinburgh and reported back to Elizabeth and Cecil on the aftermath of the murder of David Rizzio.

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