The Viscount Melbourne

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

A further selection from a memoir Barrington composed towards the close of his life and transmitted to his kinsman, the third Earl of Durham. Through his connections with leading political families, and official appointments he held at 10 Downing Street and the Treasury, Barrington was in an excellent position from which to observe and comment on the personalities of the nineteenth century including Brougham, Melbourne, Peel and Gladstone.

In Spain, writes James Marshall-Cornwall, Melbourne’s government supported the Legitimists with an Auxiliary Legion.

Lord David Cecil appraises the eventful career of William Lamb, who influenced momentous political reform in both Ireland and England.

A biographical portrait by Lord David Cecil of William Lamb, the early 19th century parliamentarian better known as Lord Melbourne.