Profession: British Prime Minister
Biography: Perceval served as British Prime Minister from 1809 until his assassination in 1812; he is to date the only British PM to have been murdered. Prior to serving in this position he was the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
He served at the head of a politically weak government, and had to deal with a number of crises in his brief term. These included the increasing madness of King George III, an inquiry into the failed 1809 Walcheren Campaign and Luddite riots.
Perceval's time in office was cut short when he was assassinated in the lobby of the House of Commons by a merchant, John Bellingham, who had a grievance against the government.
Born: November 1, 1762
Birthplace: London, England, United Kingdom
Star Sign: Scorpio
Died: May 11, 1812 (aged 49)
Cause of Death: Assassination
Articles and Photos
Assassination of Spencer Perceval
British Prime Minister Spencer Perceval is assassinated by John Bellingham, drawing by John Heaviside Clark
May 11, 1812
Assassination of a British Prime Minister
Only one British Prime Minister has ever been assassinated, a fact that brought the only claim to fame for Spencer Perceval.
May 11, 1812
Historical Events
- 1809-10-04 Spencer Perceval becomes Prime Minister of the United Kingdom after William Cavendish-Bentinck, Duke of Portland retires due to ill health
- 1812-05-11 British Prime Minister Spencer Perceval is assassinated by John Bellingham in the lobby of the House of Commons, London. Ironically, descendants of both later stand for the same seat in Parliament at the same time but neither win.
- 1812-05-18 John Bellingham, a Liverpool merchant who assassinated British Prime Minister Spencer Perceval on May 11, is hung for the crime at the Old Bailey in London
- 1812-06-08 Robert Jenkinson becomes Prime Minister of the United Kingdom after Spencer Perceval's assassination
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