TO THE MEMORY OF Robert Earl of Oxford and Earl Mortimer Knight of the most noble order of the Garter: eldest son of Sir Edw: Harley Knight of the Bath, by Abigail daughter of Nathaniel Stephens of Effington in the County of Gloucester Esq:
In the reign of King William and Queen Mary, he was first chosen member of parliament for Tregony in Cornwall, and afterwards served for the Borough of Radnor, until he was called up to the house of Peers.
He was Speaker of the House of Commons in three successive Parliaments in the reigns of King William and Queen Anne and whilst in that Office was by her Majesty in 1704 made Secretary of State: and in 1710 a Lord of the Treasury and Chancellor of the Exchequer.
By Letters Patent dated 24th May 1711 he was by her advanced to the Title of Earl of Oxford and Earl Mortimer, with remainder to the heirs male of his grand-father Sir Robert Harley Knight of the Bath.
On the 29th of the same month, she was pleased to appoint him Lord High Treasurer of Great-Britain. In 1712 he was Installed Knight of the Garter. On July 27th 1714 he resigned the Treasurers Staff into the Queens hands, who died the first of August following.
On the 10th of June 1715 he was by the House of Commons IMPEACHED of HIGH TREASON, and other HIGH CRIMES and MIDEMEANORS and on July 16 committed PRISONER to the TOWER.
By his ANSWER to ALL the ARTICLES of IMPEACHMENT, which the VIOLENCE of PARTY could suggest against him, He had the HONOUR of JUSTIFYING the QUEENS MEASURES, and his OWN CONDUCT, and of SHEWING HIMSELF to have been as TRUE a LOVER of his COUNTRY, and as DISINTERESTED a MINISTER as this NATION EVER KNEW.
After two years imprisonment He was on his OWN APPLICATION brought to his TRIAL, and NOT ONE ARTICLE ALLEDGED against him being PROVED, was UNANIMOUSLY ACQUITTED by his Peers. During his long and severe confinement, he contracted so bad a habit of body that his health declined until the 21st day of May 1724 when he died, aged 62.
A soul supreme in each hard instance tried.
Above all Fear, all Anger, and all Pride,
The rage of power, the blast of publick breath,
The lust of Lucre and the dread of Death.
Pope.