Robert Duff

Sir Robert William Duff (8 May 1835 – 15 March 1895), known as Robert William Duff Abercromby until 1862, was a Scottish Liberal Party politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1861 to 1893 and was Governor of New South Wales from 1893 to 1895. Early life Duff was born at Fetteresso Castle, Stonehaven, Kincardineshire, son of Arthur Duff (grandson of Robert Duff) and his wife Elizabeth Innes, daughter of John Innes of Kincardine. He was educated at Blackheath School, London. He entered the Royal Navy in 1848, and was made a commander in 1865. He was a Deputy Lieutenant and J.P. for Banffshire (from April 1894) and Kincardineshire (from January 1900). Political career Duff served as Liberal Member of Parliament (MP) for Banffshire from 1861 to 1893. He joined Robert Lowe as one of the Adullamites opposing the parliamentary Reform Bill of 1866, which led to the Reform Act 1867. He was a junior Lord of the Treasury and Liberal whip from 1882 to 1885, and Civil Lord of the Admiralty in 1886. He was appointed a Privy Counsellor in 1892. Governor of New South Wales