Full Name John Spencer Role British Politician Name John 1st | Political party Whig Nationality British Parents John Spencer | |
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Died October 31, 1783, Bath, United Kingdom Children Georgiana Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire Grandchildren Lady Caroline Lamb, Eliza Courtney Similar People George Spencer - 2nd Earl, Georgiana Cavendish - Duchess, Georgiana Spencer - Countess, William Cavendish - 5th Duke, William Cavendish - 6th Duke | ||
John Spencer, 1st Earl Spencer (19 December 1734 – 31 October 1783) was a British peer and politician.
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Early life
Spencer was born in 1734, at his family home, Althorp. He was the son of Hon. John Spencer and Georgiana Caroline Carteret (1716–1780), and a grandson of the 3rd Earl of Sunderland.
Political career
Spencer was MP (Whig) for Warwick from 1756 to 1761. He was also High Steward of St Albans in 1772 and Mayor of St Albans in 1779. On 3 April 1761, he was created Baron Spencer of Althorp and Viscount Spencer by George III, and on 1 November 1765, he was created Viscount Althorp and Earl Spencer.
Family
On 20 December 1755, Spencer privately married Georgiana Poyntz (1737–1814), daughter of Stephen Poyntz, in his mother's dressing room at Althorp. They had five children:
He was the great-great-great-great-grandfather of Diana, Princess of Wales.
Spencer died in 1783, aged 48 in Bath, and was buried in the family vault at St Mary's Church, Great Brington, Northamptonshire.