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Spencer Perceval | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 1 November 1762 Mayfair, Middlesex, England |
| Died | 11 May 1812 (aged 49) Westminster, Middlesex, England |
| Cause of death | Assassination |
| Political orientation | Imperialism Liberalism |
| Political party | Tories |
| Spouse | Jane Wilson |
Spencer Perceval (1 November 1762 – 11 May 1812) was a British politician and lawyer who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from October 1809 until his assassination in May 1812. Perceval also served in various political positions, most notably as Chancellor of the Exchequer from 1807 to 1812 and as Attorney General from 1802 to 1806, He is the only British prime minister to have been assassinated.
In May 1812 Perceval was assassinated in the lobby of the House of Commons whilst on his way to attend a inquiry into the Orders in Council which had strained relations with the United States and would help cause the outbreak of the War of 1812 five weeks after his death. He was shot by John Bellingham, a merchant who had served four years in a Russian debtor's prison and was denied compensation by Perceval's government.[1]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Newton, Michael (2014). Famous Assassinations in World History: An Encyclopedia: 'Perceval, Spencer'. Santa Barbara. ISBN 9781610692854