Born in 1792 and died in 1878. He was the third son of the Duke of
Bedford and served as the British Prime Minister for the
Whigs/
Liberals on two separate occasions. His first
ministry was between the years of 1846 and 1852, in which time he oversaw the passing of the first
Public Health Act of 1848 and the
Public Libraries Act of 1850. His second ministry was much shorter, between the years of 1865 and 1866 and was brought about by the death of
Lord Palmerston. This ministry was comparatively uneventful compared to his first, with the Morant Bay mutiny in Jamaica the only real point of excitement. His time as
Prime Minister was ended by the
Adullamites' revolt over the Third reform Act, which propossed the extension of the
franchise to the
artisans.
Other achievements of note include his steering of the Great Reform Act of 1832 through the House of Commons as the Prime Minister of at the time (Earl Grey) had been sitting in the House of Lords.
sources: 'The Extension of the franchise 1832 to 1931' by Bob Whitfiled, 'The Challenge of Democracy' by Hugh Cunningham and too many history lessons.
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