Spencer Perceval

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The Rt Hon Spencer Perceval
Spencer Perceval

In office
October 4 1809 – May 11 1812
Preceded by The Duke of Portland
Succeeded by The Earl of Liverpool

In office
March 26 1807 – May 11 1812
Preceded by Lord Henry Petty
Succeeded by Nicholas Vansittart

Born November 1 1762
Audley Square, London
Died May 11 1812
Lobby of the House of Commons
Political party Tory

Spencer Perceval (November 1 1762May 11 1812) was a British statesman and Prime Minister. He is the only British Prime Minister to have been assassinated (shot dead).

Perceval was the seventh son of John Perceval, 2nd Earl of Egmont by his second wife. His father, a close friend of Frederick, Prince of Wales and King George III, had served in the Cabinet as First Lord of the Admiralty, but died when Perceval was ten.

Perceval that was Prime Minister when William Wilberforce passed his Bill (law) ending the slave trade.

A painting depicting the assassination of Perceval. Perceval is lying the ground while his assassin John Bellingham is being caught by officials (far right)
A painting depicting the assassination of Perceval. Perceval is lying the ground while his assassin John Bellingham is being caught by officials (far right)

The Orders in Council against trade which Perceval had writen in 1807 became unpopular in the winter of 1811 with Luddite riots breaking out. They were also a cause of the War of 1812 with the United States of America. Perceval was forced to have an inquiry by the House of Commons. On May 11, 1812, Perceval was on his way to attend the inquiry when he was shot through the heart in the lobby of the House of Commons by a seller called John Bellingham. Perceval's body lay in 10 Downing Street for five days before burial. Bellingham gave himself up strate away. Tried for murder, he was found guilty and hanged a week later.

Perceval is buried at St Luke's Church in Charlton, south-east London.