Spencer Compton, 1st Earl Of Wilmington

Spencer Compton, 1st Earl of Wilmington (1673 – 2 July 1743), was a British political figure who served during the late 17th and early 18th centuries. His career spanned various governmental roles, including a lengthy period as a Member of Parliament and culminating in his brief tenure as Prime Minister of Great Britain from 1742 until his death in 1743.

Born in 1673 at Compton Wynyates, a Tudor castle located in Warwickshire, Compton was the third son of James Compton, 3rd Earl of Northampton. His mother was Mary Noel, daughter of Baptist Noel, 3rd Viscount Campden. His father fought as a Royalist during the English Civil War and died in 1681, when Spencer was still young. Following his father's death, his brother, George Compton, inherited the family estates. Spencer Compton received his early education at St Paul's School and matriculated at Trinity College, Oxford, on 28 February 1690 at the age of 15. He was admitted to Middle Temple in 1687.

Initially aligned with the High Tories due to his family background, Compton shifted allegiance to the Whigs after a disagreement with his brother. He first sought parliamentary office in the 1695 English general election representing East Grinstead but was unsuccessful. Subsequently, he was elected unopposed as Member of Parliament for Eye in a by-election on 3 June 1698. Compton's political career gained momentum as he became a prominent Whig supporter and established a long-standing partnership with Robert Walpole.

In 1707, Compton was appointed Paymaster of Pensions, a role he held for six years, during which he was actively involved in parliamentary affairs, including managing bills and serving as a teller on the Whig side. He was also involved in drafting articles of impeachment against Dr. Sacheverell in 1709. His parliamentary constituency shifted due to political alignments; in 1713, he was returned as MP for East Grinstead.

Following the accession of the Whigs to power in 1715, Compton was appointed Treasurer to the Prince of Wales (later George II) and was elected Speaker of the House of Commons, a position he maintained until 1727. During his tenure as Speaker, he was made a Privy Counsellor in 1716 and was known for a somewhat relaxed approach to proceedings.

Compton's influence waned after the accession of George II in 1727. Recognizing his limited abilities, King George II favored Walpole, who sought to marginalize Compton. To remove him from the House of Commons, Walpole elevated Compton to the peerage as Baron Wilmington in 1728, and later as Viscount Pevensey and Earl of Wilmington in 1730. He was appointed Lord President of the Council in December 1730 and became associated with the Patriot Whigs, a faction critical of Walpole's dominance. Throughout this period, he held various governmental roles, including Lord Privy Seal from 1725 and involvement in charitable initiatives such as the founding of the Foundling Hospital in 1739.

In January 1742, Compton succeeded Walpole as First Lord of the Treasury and prime minister. His tenure was characterized by limited influence and a focus on foreign affairs, notably during the War of the Austrian Succession. Due to declining health and the pressures of office, his leadership was not marked by significant achievements, and he remained in office until his death.

He never married and died without issue on 2 July 1743. His titles became extinct upon his death. His substantial personal library was auctioned in 1733. Compton was buried at Compton Wynyates, and his estate of Compton Place in Sussex was inherited by his nephew, James Compton, 5th Earl of Northampton.