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Spencer Perceval

(1762-1812), Prime Minister

Sitter in 20 portraits
Lawyer and friend of Pitt, he became Chancellor of the Exchequer in 1807 and Prime Minister from 1809 until 1812. While he had a conservative outlook on society, Perceval supported the progressive anti-slavery campaign led by William Wilberforce, even co-founding the African Institute which was set up in 1807 to safeguard the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act. On 11 May 1812, Perceval was shot dead in the lobby of the House of Commons by John Bellingham, a merchant with a grudge against the British government. Caught and condemned to death on 15 May, Bellingham was executed three days later. Perceval remains the only British Prime Minister to have been assassinated while in office.

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Spencer Perceval

studio of Joseph Nollekens
marble bust, based on a work of circa 1812
NPG 1657

Spencer Perceval

by George Francis Joseph
oil on canvas, 1812
NPG 1031

Spencer Perceval

by George Francis Joseph
oil on canvas, 1812
NPG 4

Spencer Perceval

by Sir Francis Leggatt Chantrey
pencil, circa 1817
NPG 316a(198)

Spencer Perceval

by Sir Francis Leggatt Chantrey
pencil, circa 1817
NPG 316a(198a)

'Political mathematician's, shaking the Broad Bottom'd hemispheres'

by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching and engraving, published 9 January 1807
NPG D12884

'John Bull and the sinking-fund - a pretty scheme for reducing the taxes & paying-off the national debt!'

by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching, published 23 February 1807
NPG D12885

'Delicious dreams! - Castles in the air! - Glorious prospects!'

by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching, published 10 April 1808
NPG D12905

'Broad-bottom drones storming the hive - wasps, hornets & bumble bees, joining in the attack'

by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching, published 2 May 1808
NPG D12906

'Phaeton alarm'd!'

by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching, engraving and aquatint, published 22 March 1808
NPG D13115

'Disciples catching the mantle: - the spirit of darkness overshadowing the priests of Baal'

by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching, published 25 June 1808
NPG D13116

'Pandora opening her box'

by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching and aquatint, published 22 February 1809
NPG D12917

'Overthrow of the Republican-Babel'

by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching, published 1 May 1809
NPG D12921

'An old English-gentleman pester'd by servants wanting places'

by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching, published 16 May 1809
NPG D12922

Spencer Perceval

by and published by Charles Turner, after George Francis Joseph
mezzotint, published 1 August 1812
NPG D40155

Spencer Perceval

by and published by Charles Turner, after George Francis Joseph
mezzotint, published 1 August 1812
NPG D40156

National Pursuits

by Charles Williams
hand-coloured etching, published for the proprietors of Town Talk 1 April 1812
NPG D46371

Spencer Perceval

by and published by William Skelton, after Sir William Beechey
line engraving, published 1 March 1813
NPG D40157

Spencer Perceval

by Samuel William Reynolds, after Sir Francis Leggatt Chantrey
mezzotint, (1818)
NPG D40158

A Vision of Judgement!!!

published by Gabriel Shire Tregear
hand-coloured etching, published circa February 1830
NPG D48801

Related People

Charles George Perceval, 2nd Baron Arden (brother)
John Perceval, 2nd Earl of Egmont (father)
Catherine Perceval (née Compton), Countess of Egmont (mother)
Spencer Perceval (son)
Frances Freeman-Mitford (née Perceval), Lady Redesdale (sister)

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Spencer Perceval