Peniston Lamb, 1st Viscount Melbourne

Peniston Lamb, 1st Viscount Melbourne (29 January 1745 – 22 July 1828), was a British politician and peer who served in the House of Commons from 1768 to 1793. He was the father of William Lamb, who became the 2nd Viscount Melbourne and served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

Early Life

Peniston Lamb was born in 1745 to Sir Matthew Lamb, 1st Baronet, and Charlotte Coke. His early education included attendance at Eton College from 1755 to 1762. In 1769, he entered Lincoln's Inn. He succeeded to the baronetcy following his father's death on 6 November 1768, inheriting Melbourne Hall in Derbyshire. On 13 April 1769, he married Elizabeth Milbanke, daughter of Sir Ralph Milbanke, 5th Baronet. Elizabeth was noted for her beauty, intelligence, and strong character, and she played a significant role in social and political circles. Around 1770, Lamb established Melbourne House, now known as The Albany, in London.

Political Career

Lamb was elected unopposed as Member of Parliament for Ludgershall in the 1768 general election. In 1770, he was created Baron Melbourne, of Kilmore in the County of Cavan, in the Peerage of Ireland, a title which permitted him to remain in the House of Commons. He was re-elected unopposed for Ludgershall in 1774 and 1780. In 1781, he was elevated to the rank of Viscount Melbourne, also in the Irish peerage.

He served as Gentleman of the Bedchamber to the Prince of Wales from 1783 until 1796. During the 1784 general election, Lamb contested Malmesbury and was returned unopposed. He changed constituencies again in 1790, representing Newport, Isle of Wight, again without opposition. In 1793, he resigned his parliamentary seat in favor of his son, Peniston.

Later Life

In 1812, Lamb was appointed Lord of the Bedchamber. Five years later, in 1815, he was granted the title of Baron Melbourne, of Melbourne in Derbyshire, in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. This peerage granted him an automatic seat in the House of Lords. He died on 22 July 1828 at the age of 83. His titles were succeeded by his son, William Lamb.

Family and Children

Peniston Lamb and his wife had seven children:

1. Hon. Peniston Lamb (3 May 1770 – 24 January 1805)

2. Elizabeth Lamb (born 25 October 1777)

3. William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne (15 March 1779 – 24 November 1848)

4. Frederick James Lamb, 3rd Viscount Melbourne (17 April 1782 – 29 January 1853)

5. Hon. George Lamb (11 July 1784 – 2 January 1834)

6. Emily Lamb, Countess Cowper (1787–1869)

7. Harriet Lamb (1789–1803)

Note on Family Relationships

Only Peniston Lamb's first-born son, Peniston, is definitively attributed to Lord Melbourne. His wife Elizabeth was involved in multiple extramarital affairs, with rumors suggesting that some of their children, including George and William, were fathered by other men, such as George IV and George Wyndham, 3rd Earl of Egremont. According to accounts, Lord Melbourne was a mild and easygoing individual who avoided conflict, and his marriage was marked by issues related to his wife's extramarital relationships. Their daughter Emily recalled that Melbourne often made mistakes and was frequently corrected by his children.

Descriptions of Melbourne from contemporary sources portray him as someone notable for his association with social pleasures, including courtesans and the memoirs of Mrs. Baddeley. His children reportedly viewed him with a degree of "kindly contempt," noting his tendency to err and seeming to be perpetually intoxicated, although these accounts are considered anecdotal.

Armorial Bearing

[Information about his coat of arms is indicated but not detailed.]

References and Sources

The information includes references from "Debrett's Peerage and Baronetage (1990 edition)" edited by Charles Kidd and David Williamson.