Robert Bourke, 1st Baron Connemara, (English: /bɜːrk/; BURK; /kɒnɛmɑːræ/; CONEH-mar-a; 11 June 1827 – 3 September 1902) was a British Conservative politician and colonial administrator who served as Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1874–80, 1885–86) and Governor of Madras (1886–90).

He was educated at Hall Place School, Bexley, Kent, and Trinity College, Dublin,[2] and was called to the Bar, Inner Temple, in 1852.

Bourke practised as a barrister for a number of years[citation needed] before being elected Conservative Member of Parliament for King's Lynn in 1868.

[3][4] In 1874 he became Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs in Benjamin Disraeli's second administration, a post he held until 1880, when he was also sworn of the Privy Council.

He resigned as governor on 8 November 1890 and returned to Great Britain when his wife sued him for infecting her with syphilis and his adultery with her lady's maid.

Lord Connemara died in London in September 1902, aged 75, and was buried in the city's Kensal Green Cemetery.