Past Prime Ministers

Spencer Compton, 1st Earl of Wilmington

Whig 1742 to 1743

On the Duke of Newcastle: “Sir, you have a right to speak, but the House has a right to judge whether they will hear you.”


Spencer Compton, 1st Earl of Wilmington

Born

1673 or 1674, Compton Wynyates, Warwickshire

Died

2 July 1743, St. James's Square, London

Dates in office

1742 to 1743

Political party

Whig

Biography

Spencer Compton, Earl of Wilmington, was a successful Speaker of the House of Commons. His tenure as First Lord of the Treasury was short and he died in office. He came to prominence after Sir Robert Walpole’s lengthy administration and was only ever seen as a temporary replacement.

Read more about Spencer Compton, Earl of Wilmington, on the History of government blog.