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John Poyntz Spencer, 5th Earl Spencer

(1835-1910), Politician, Lord President of the Council and Lord Lieutenant of Ireland; ex-officio Trustee of the National Portrait Gallery

Sitter in 38 portraits
A Whig politician who played a prominent role in Liberal politics for almost forty years. Elected MP in 1857, he came to the fore in 1867 during the Second Reform Act which, unlike many in his party, he supported. He was a member of successive Liberal governments, and a member of the cabinet in all except the first. Irish politics came to be a major preoccupation of his political career. As Lord Lieutenant (Viceroy) of Ireland, Spencer was given the difficult task of carrying out the provisions of the Irish Land Acts. In 1892 he was appointed First Lord of the Admiralty. His shipbuilding programme and steps to improve naval defences were of immense value when the First World War broke out.

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John Poyntz Spencer, 5th Earl Spencer, by Mason & Co (Robert Hindry Mason) - NPG x127216

John Poyntz Spencer, 5th Earl Spencer

by Mason & Co (Robert Hindry Mason)
albumen cabinet card, early 1870s
NPG x127216

The Liberal Cabinet, 1880, by Unknown photographer - NPG x5984

The Liberal Cabinet, 1880

by Unknown photographer
albumen carte-de-visite, circa 1880
NPG x5984

John Poyntz Spencer, 5th Earl Spencer, by Lafayette - NPG x198598

John Poyntz Spencer, 5th Earl Spencer

by Lafayette
gelatin silver print, 1882-1885
NPG x198598

John Poyntz Spencer, 5th Earl Spencer, by James Russell & Sons - NPG x26528

John Poyntz Spencer, 5th Earl Spencer

by James Russell & Sons
albumen carte-de-visite, mid 1880s
NPG x26528

John Poyntz Spencer, 5th Earl Spencer, by York & Son, after  Unknown photographer - NPG x3669

John Poyntz Spencer, 5th Earl Spencer

by York & Son, after Unknown photographer
glass lantern slide, 1890s
NPG x3669

John Poyntz Spencer, 5th Earl Spencer, by George Charles Beresford - NPG x12919

John Poyntz Spencer, 5th Earl Spencer

by George Charles Beresford
sepia-toned platinotype print, October 1903
NPG x12919

John Poyntz Spencer, 5th Earl Spencer, by George Charles Beresford - NPG x12920

John Poyntz Spencer, 5th Earl Spencer

by George Charles Beresford
sepia-toned platinotype print, October 1903
NPG x12920

John Poyntz Spencer, 5th Earl Spencer, by George Charles Beresford - NPG x12921

John Poyntz Spencer, 5th Earl Spencer

by George Charles Beresford
sepia-toned platinotype print, October 1903
NPG x12921

John Poyntz Spencer, 5th Earl Spencer, by George Charles Beresford - NPG x12922

John Poyntz Spencer, 5th Earl Spencer

by George Charles Beresford
sepia-toned platinotype print, October 1903
NPG x12922

John Poyntz Spencer, 5th Earl Spencer, by E.H. Mills, published by  Rotary Photographic Co Ltd - NPG x197847

John Poyntz Spencer, 5th Earl Spencer

by E.H. Mills, published by Rotary Photographic Co Ltd
bromide postcard print, circa 1906
NPG x197847

John Poyntz Spencer, 5th Earl Spencer, by Reginald Haines, published by  Rotary Photographic Co Ltd - NPG x197848

John Poyntz Spencer, 5th Earl Spencer

by Reginald Haines, published by Rotary Photographic Co Ltd
bromide postcard print, circa 1906
NPG x197848

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