Liverpool has acted as he always does to a friend in a personal question: shabbily, timidly and ill.
- Lord Palmerston.

Additional Information on
Robert Banks Jenkinson, 2nd Earl of Liverpool (1770-1828)
Tory Prime Minister 1812-1827

Robert Banks Jenkinson was son of the first Earl of Liverpool (widely regarded as George III's principle confidant). He was elected to the House of Commons in 1790 and remained in government until 1827. He was a man of tact, respected for his mild temper and calm manner. His arrival in office saw the country in a very poor and difficult position, but by the end of his office Liverpool had made it strong and prosperous once more.

In 1801 he became Foreign Secretary in Addington's ministry, and in this position of responsibility, he negotiated the 'Peace of Amiens'. In 1804, on Pitt's return to power, he became the Home Secretary. On Pitt's death Liverpool led the opposition to Grenville in the Lords, returning once again to government in 1807 as the Home Secretary.

After Perceval's assassination Liverpool became acting Prime Minister (ie. by default rather than election). The subsequent failure of the old Tories or the Whigs to form an administration left him fully in power - holding his position for fifteen years - longer than anyone but Walpole and Pitt.

Liverpool's confirmation of power was determined at the General Election of 1812, when he became chief of the Tory ministry. His government presided over the defeat of Napoleon, leaving British power dominant in Europe. There followed many problems concerning the country's taxation system, and the question of Catholic emancipation - although Liverpool did tend to steer away from religious confrontation.

A matter that gave Liverpool almost as much trouble as this was the divorce of King George IV. Liverpool tried to achieve a short divorce as a compromise, but after failing, the government brought in a bill to deprive Queen Caroline of her title and dignities as sovereign. However, after a public wave of sympathy for the Queen, Liverpool was forced to withdraw the bill.

The later years of his term saw the Cabinet splitting into Catholic and Protestant divisions and Liverpool failed to keep it together. His health was failing and in 1827 he suffered a stroke and resigned. Liverpool died only a few months later.

QUOTATIONS

Lord Liverpool has a talent for silence.
- Madame de Stael.