JOSEPH ROBLEY, 1788-1832: Coroner's Inquest

CORONER'S INQUEST.- Yesterday an inquest was held on JOSEPH ROBLEY, Esq., a West Indian merchant, of Salcomb-place, Regent's Park, who had destroyed himself by taking prussic acid, at the York Hotel, Jermyn-street, on Thursday last. FRANCIS KEEBLE, Esq., said he had known the deceased for twenty years. He was of the most eccentric habits, and for the last seven years had been subject to periodic insanity; but of late it had become more intense and frequent. He had read hard for honours at the university, but afterwards said University honours were all nonsense. He then studied for the Bar for a considerable time, but gave it up, saying "the profession were a set of fools". He took breakfast at his house on Wednesday morning, and on the most trifling occasion hung round his neck and wept bitterly. He left a letter for the witness, but it was blank. Insanity had been in the family, and his father died the same violent death.- Verdict, "Insanity".

The Morning Post. March 31st. 1832.