Robert Milligan McLane

Robert Milligan McLane
Robert Milligan McLane in an 1858 portrait by George Peter Alexander Healy
39th Governor of Maryland
In office January 9, 1884 – March 27, 1885
Preceded by	William T. Hamilton
Succeeded by	Henry Lloyd
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Maryland's 4th district
In office March 4, 1879 – March 3, 1883
Preceded by	Thomas Swann
Succeeded by	John Van Lear Findlay
Maryland State Senate
In office 1878–1880
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Maryland's 4th district
In office March 4, 1847 – March 3, 1851
Preceded by	William Fell Giles
Succeeded by	Thomas Yates Walsh
Member of the Maryland House of Delegates
In office 1845–1847
Personal details
Born	June 23, 1815 Wilmington, Delaware
Died	April 16, 1898(1898-04-16) (aged 82) Paris, France
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Georgine Urquhart McLane
Religion	Episcopalian
National Governors Association, Governor's Information, Maryland Governor Robert Milligan McLane

"Robert McLane" was also the name of the Mayor of Baltimore from 1903-1904.

Robert Milligan McLane (June 23, 1815 – April 16, 1898) was an American politician, military officer, and diplomat. He served as Ambassador to Mexico, France, and China, as a member of the House of Representatives from the fourth district of Maryland, as chairman of the Democratic National Committee, and as the 39th Governor of Maryland.

McLane was born in Wilmington, Delaware, in 1815, the son of Louis McLane and Catherine Mary Milligan. His birthplace, the Louis McLane House, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. He received early education from a private school conducted by John Bullock, a Quaker. He received higher education from St. Mary’s College in Baltimore, Maryland until he moved with his family to Europe, after his father had been appointed as an ambassador to England. He was sent to Paris to receive further education from Collège Bourbon, where he became acquainted with the Marquis de Lafayette.

McLane and his family moved back to the United States in 1833 when his father was appointed Secretary of the Treasury. The same year, McLane was appointed as a cadet in the United States Military Academy at West Point by President Andrew Jackson, and graduated in July 1837 with a commission as second lieutenant of Artillery in the United States Army. McLane was deployed with his regiment to Florida during the Seminole War in 1837 under the command of General Thomas S. Jesup, and in 1838 was re-deployed to the west under General Winfield Scott.