Robert Bruce, 1st Earl of Ailesbury (later styled Aylesbury) and 2nd Earl of Elgin, PC, FRS (ca. March 1626 – 20 October 1685), was a Scottish politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1660 to 1663, when he inherited his father's title as Earl of Elgin.
Life
Robert Bruce was the son of Thomas Bruce, 1st Earl of Elgin by his first wife, Anne Chichester. His portrait, as "Lord Kinloss" at the age of 9 was painted by Cornelius Johnson.[1] He went on a Grand Tour in Europe in the years 1642 to 1646.[2]
Diana Grey, Countess of Ailesbury, by Henri Gascar
Robert Bruce married Lady Diana Grey, daughter of Henry Grey, 1st Earl of Stamford and Lady Anne Cecil, on 16 February 1645. They had seventeen children, nine of whom seem to have survived to adulthood:
Lady Christiana (or Christian) Bruce (b.1658),[10] married firstly, on 4 June 1677 at Ampthill, John Rolle (d.1689), eldest son and heir apparent of Sir John Rolle of Stevenstone, Devon (d.1706), with whom she had two sons, Robert Rolle (c. 1677-18 November 1710) and John Rolle (1679–1730);[11] married secondly, Sir Richard Gayer (or Geyer/Gere) of Stoke Poges, Buckinghamshire.
Lady Anne Bruce (1st Anne, b. c. 1660, d. before 1717),[12] married Sir William Rich, 2nd Baronet in 1672.[13]
Hon. Robert Bruce (1st Robert?, d. 1652)
Hon. Charles Bruce (d. 1661)
Hon. Bernard (or Barnard) Bruce (b. 1666, d. 1669)