Robert Walpole, 2nd Earl of Orford, was a British peer, styled as Viscount Walpole from 1723 to 1745.
Background
He was the eldest son of Sir Robert Walpole (1676–1745), the King"s First Minister, now regarded as the first Prime Minister, by his first wife Catherine Shorter. In 1723 his father declined a peerage for himself but did accept the offer on behalf of his 22-year-old son Robert who was thus raised to the peerage as Baron Walpole, of Walpole in the County of Norfolk.
Career
Robert Walpole held the following posts at some time between 1701 and 1751: Clerk of the Pells Auditor of the Receipt of the Exchequer Ranger of Richmond Park High Steward of Yarmouth Lord Lieutenant of Devon Mr Robert Walpole (1701–1723) Viscount Walpole (1723-1745) The Rt Honorary The Earl of Orford (1745–1751) Though he held a barony in his own right, from 1742 to 1745 Lord Walpole ranked higher by precedence as the eldest son of an earl.