biography
| sex:
| male
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| lived:
| (1770–1827)
|
| biography:
| British statesman, born in London, UK. He studied at Oxford and Lincoln's Inn, and entered parliament for Newport, Isle of Wight (1794) as a supporter of Pitt. He became under-secretary of state (1796), treasurer of the navy (1804–6), and minister for foreign affairs (1807). His disapproval of the Walcheren expedition led to a misunderstanding with Castlereagh, which resulted in a duel. He became MP for Liverpool (1812), ambassador to Lisbon (1814), President of the Board of Control (1816), and MP for Harwich (1822). Nominated Governor-General of India (1822), he was on the eve of departure when Castlereagh's suicide saw him installed as foreign secretary. In this post he gave a new impetus to commerce by advocating tariff reductions. He was the first to recognize the free states of Spanish America; promoted the union of Britain, France, and Russia in the cause of Greece (1827); protected Portugal from Spanish invasion; contended earnestly for Catholic Emancipation; and prepared the way for a repeal of the Corn Laws. In 1827 he formed an administration with the aid of the Whigs, but died the same year. |
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