Robert Carter (magistrate)

Robert Carter (1663 – August 4, 1732), also known as "King" Carter, was a prominent landowner, planter, businessman, and politician in colonial Virginia. He served as a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses and later as President of the Council of Virginia, effectively acting as the acting governor of the colony on several occasions during the absence of the appointed governor.

Carter amassed a vast estate in Virginia through land acquisition, inheritance, and strategic marriages. His holdings included plantations worked by enslaved people and numerous businesses involved in trade and commerce. He was one of the wealthiest men in the American colonies during his lifetime.

Beyond his economic activities, Carter was a politically influential figure. His role as President of the Council provided him with significant power and influence in the colonial government. He was known for his staunch advocacy for the interests of the Virginia elite.

Carter's legacy is complex. He represents the landed gentry of colonial Virginia, a class defined by immense wealth derived from land and enslaved labor. His descendants continued to play prominent roles in Virginia and American history. He is a significant figure in understanding the political, social, and economic structures of colonial Virginia.