Melbourne, Viscount (1779-1848), was prime minister of the United Kingdom from July to November 1834 and from April 1835 to August 1841. Melbourne was a close friend and adviser to Queen Victoria, who came to the throne in 1837. He taught her about British politics and the constitution. His training did much to shape her character as queen. See Victoria .
Melbourne was born William Lamb in London on March 15, 1779. He was one of six children born to Peniston Lamb, First Viscount Melbourne, and his wife Elizabeth Milbanke. Young William was educated at Eton and Trinity College, Cambridge. He qualified as a lawyer in 1804 and married Lady Caroline Ponsonby in 1805. The couple had one child. Lamb entered Parliament in 1806 as representative for Leominster in the House of Commons. Lamb was a member of the Whig Party. However, in 1827, he became secretary for Ireland in a cabinet largely composed of Tories. In 1829, Lamb succeeded to the title of Second Viscount Melbourne and took his seat in the House of Lords. The next year, Melbourne became home secretary in a Whig government. He became prime minister in 1834, but King William IV dismissed him a few months later. The king was angry at the government’s plans to reform the Anglican church.
Melbourne became prime minister again in 1835 after Sir Robert Peel resigned from the office. Melbourne himself resigned in 1839. Peel was then invited to form a government but failed in his attempt to do so. On Victoria’s insistence, Melbourne formed another government. He finally retired in 1841. Melbourne suffered a stroke the following year. He died on Nov. 24, 1848, at Brocket Hall, Hertfordshire. The city of Melbourne, Australia, was named in his honor.
Lady Caroline Lamb went on to write several novels. She had a scandalous affair with the poet Lord Byron in 1812. The Lambs eventually separated in 1825. Lady Caroline died in 1828.
