Frederick Calvert, 6th Baron Baltimore

Frederick Calvert, 6th Baron Baltimore (February 6 1731–September 4 1771) was an English nobleman and last in the line of Barons Baltimore.

He was named for his father's friend, Frederick, Prince of Wales. He inherited from his father the Proprietary Governorship of the Province of Maryland when his father died in 1751.

Calvert owned Maryland at a time of rising discontent in the colony at his family's feudal rule and amidst growing demands by the legislative assembly for an end to his family's authoritarian rule.

Frederick, however, remained aloof from the colony and never once set foot in it in his lifetime. Instead, he spent time in England and on the European continent particularly in Italy. He also lived for a time in Constantinople, but had to leave after being accused of keeping a private harem. Calvert lived a life of leisure, writing verse and regarding the Province of Maryland as little more than a source of revenue. The colony was ruled through governors appointed by Calvert, such as Horatio Sharpe and Robert Eden. Frederick's frequent travels made him difficult to contact and meant that Maryland was largely ruled without his input. He married Lady Diana Egerton, daughter of Scroop Egerton, 1st Duke of Bridgewater, but did not get along with her and they spent most of their married life apart. She died in 1758 without having had any children.

In 1768, Frederick was accused of abduction and rape by Sarah Woodcock. He was put on trial but acquitted as the jury believed that Woodcock did not make adequate attempts to escape. Following his acquittal Frederick moved to the continent where he remained until he died in Naples in 1771.

Calvert had numerous illegitimate children by various women and attempted to support them. He willed Maryland to his illegitimate son, Henry Harford. The colony recognized Harford as Calvert's heir but this was challenged by the family of Lord Baltimore's sister, Louisa Calvert Browning, who contested the will unsuccessfully.

By the time Henry reached adulthood, Maryland was engulfed by the American Revolution and was at war with Britain. He ultimately lost his possessions in Maryland but remained wealthy due to his father's extensive holdings in Great Britain.

External links

* [http://www.exclassics.com/newgate/ng441.htm Newgate Calendar]