Canning, George (1770-1827), served as prime minister of the United Kingdom from April to August 1827. Prior to becoming prime minister, Canning played an important part in the British government during the Napoleonic Wars. He first was a supporter of William Pitt and later was foreign secretary from 1807 to 1809. But he quarreled with Viscount Castlereagh, who was war minister. The two men fought a duel, in which Canning was wounded. Both resigned and spent some years out of office.
Canning returned to office as ambassador to Portugal in 1814. He served as president of the India Board from 1816 to 1821. In 1822, he was about to take up an appointment as governor general of India when Castlereagh, who had been foreign secretary, died. Canning became foreign secretary and served until 1827. He became prime minister following the resignation of the Earl of Liverpool, but Canning died of pneumonia soon after. Canning served as prime minister for 119 days. This was the shortest time that anyone served as prime minister of the United Kingdom until 2022, when Liz Truss was prime minister for only 49 days.
George Canning was born on April 11, 1770, in London. He was educated at Eton and Christ Church College, Oxford. In 1793, he entered Parliament as representative for Newtown, Isle of Wight, in the House of Commons. In 1800, he married Joan Scott. The couple had four children. Canning died in London on Aug. 8, 1827.
See also Liverpool, Earl of; Napoleonic Wars.
