Robert, an English dramatic writer, was the son of a merchant, and was born in London in 1755. After receiving his education at Harrow and at Christ's College, Cambridge, he entered Lincoln's Inn, but was never called to the bar. After his father's death he purchased a commission in the Horse Guards, where he held the post for some years of lieutenant to the first troop under Lord Lothian. Anxious for a change, and desirous of seeing the world, he quitted the service, and visited France, Switzerland, Italy, Germany, and Holland. He spent a considerable time in Florence; and during his residence there had the honour of being made a member of the celebrated Della Cruscan Academy. He became a chief contributor to the Florence Miscellany, a periodical produced by the joint efforts of a few English residents. In return for the honours done him by the Della Cruscans, Merry attached the name of the academy afterwards as a signature to many of his poetical effusions which appeared in the journals and newspapers of this country; and so great was the success of the English Della Cruscan that in a short time Merry found a race of enthusiastic imitators, who flourished luxuriantly till Gifford, with the caustic satire of his Bardian and Marriad, so ruthlessly blasted their growth. Merry went to America in 1796, and died at Baltimore two years afterwards. His dramatic pieces are.—Lorenzo; The Magician no Conjurer; Fenelon; and Ambitious Vengeance.