Sir Benjamin Keene

Sir Benjamin Keene, KB, (1697 in King's Lynn – 1757 in Madrid) was a British diplomat known for his service as British Ambassador to Spain. He strove to maintain good relations between the two countries, but was unable to prevent the War of Jenkins' Ear breaking out in 1739. He later successfully kept Spain neutral when the Seven Years' War broke out in 1756. At the height of his powers he wielded wide influence over events in Spain, and was in the confidence of leading Spanish statesmen.

Keene was born in King's Lynn to Charles Keene, who served twice as mayor, and to his wife Susan Rolfe of Heacham in Norfolk. Keene's aunt, Mary Rolfe, was the wife of Rev. Thomas Pyle of Lynn and mother of Joyce Pyle, who stood as one of the sponsors at Admiral Lord Nelson's private baptism. Keene was named after his uncle Benjamin Keene, the first mayor of King's Lynn under the letters patent granted by King Charles II. Sir Robert Walpole was acquainted with Keene's maternal grandfather, Edmund Rolfe who acted as Walpole's election agent in the borough of Lynn and extended his patronage to the young man. After attending King's Lynn Grammar School and securing a post with the South Sea Company, Keene joined the diplomatic service and swiftly rose to prominence with Walpole's assistance.

Keene was twice British ambassador to Madrid, in 1729–39 and 1748–57.

During his first mission Keene was following the advice of Walpole. He negotiated the Treaty of El Pardo in 1728 and the 1739 Convention of El Pardo in an attempt to prevent war between the two states. That mission was interrupted by the War of Jenkin's Ear (1739–1748), and so he was forced to return to London, but just after the peace was concluded, he set off again to Spain.

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