Robert Clive Baron Clive of Plassey

Clive, Robert, Baron Clive of Plassey (1725–74), British soldier and administrator, twice governor of Bengal, who established British power in India. He defeated both the French at Arcot (1751) and the Bengal nawab, Siraj-ud-Daula, at Plassey (1757), thus securing all of Bengal for the East India Company. He reformed administrative corruption in Bengal. Investigated by Parliament on the charge of dishonesty when in office, he was acquitted, but afterward committed suicide.