George Canning

Political reputations are forged by actions, but the long view of history can be hard to predict.

Thirty years of private relations when they were often at odds preceded the appointment of Canning as Prime Minister in 1827 by George IV, writes Christopher Hibbert.

Although Canning resigned in 1809, writes Cedric Collyer, the fruits of his foreign policy, and the confirmation of the principles on which it rested, were already apparent by 1812 in the changing face and prospects of the war.

M.G. Brock profiles one of Britain's most able yet ill-fated premiers.

The two politicians fought on September 21st, 1809.