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.”
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.