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 GallerySitter 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.
John Poyntz Spencer, 5th Earl Spencer
by Sydney Prior Hall
pencil
NPG 2346
John Poyntz Spencer, 5th Earl Spencer
by Harry Furniss
pen and ink, 1880s-1900s
NPG 3608
Private View of the Old Masters Exhibition, Royal Academy, 1888
by Henry Jamyn Brooks
oil on canvas, 1889
NPG 1833
John Poyntz Spencer, 5th Earl Spencer
by Sir Francis Carruthers Gould ('F.C.G.')
pencil, 1890s?
NPG 2874
John Poyntz Spencer, 5th Earl Spencer
by Harry Furniss
pen and ink, 1891
NPG 3412
John Poyntz Spencer, 5th Earl Spencer
by Robert Boning
albumen carte-de-visite, 1860s
NPG Ax7451
John Poyntz Spencer, 5th Earl Spencer
by Mason & Co (Robert Hindry Mason)
albumen cabinet card, early 1870s
NPG x127216
by Unknown photographer
albumen carte-de-visite, circa 1880
NPG x5984
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
albumen carte-de-visite, mid 1880s
NPG x26528
John Poyntz Spencer, 5th Earl Spencer
by Alexander Bassano
half-plate glass negative, 1883
NPG x96413
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
sepia-toned platinotype print, October 1903
NPG x12919
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
sepia-toned platinotype print, October 1903
NPG x12921
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 George Charles Beresford
bromide print, October 1903
NPG x26532
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
bromide postcard print, circa 1906
NPG x197848
Related People
- Sarah Lyttelton (née Spencer), Lady Lyttelton (aunt)
- George John Spencer, 2nd Earl Spencer (grandfather)
- Lavinia Spencer (née Bingham), Countess Spencer (grandmother)
- John Charles Spencer, 3rd Earl Spencer (uncle)
- Frederick Spencer, 4th Earl Spencer (father)
- Charlotte Frances Frederica Spencer (née Seymour), Countess Spencer (wife)
- Lady Sarah Isabella Spencer (sister)
- Sir Robert Cavendish Spencer (uncle)
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