George Canning

George Canning (1770-1827) was a distinguished British statesman and orator, born in London. He studied for the bar. He entered Parliament as a protégé of Pitt, whom he strenuously supported. He was rewarded by an under-secretaryship. He married a lady of high rank, with a fortune. He satirised the Whigs by his pen in his "Anti-Jacobin". On the death of Pitt became minister of Foreign Affairs. Under Portland distinguished himself by defeating the schemes of Napoleon. He became a member of the Liverpool ministry, and once more minister of Foreign Affairs. On the death of Liverpool, he was made Prime Minister, and after a period of unpopularity became popular by adopting, to the disgust of his old colleagues, a liberal policy. He was not equal to the opposition he provoked, and died at the age of 57.

Nearby pages
George Catlin, George Cattermole, George Cavendish, George Chalmers, George Chambers