George Lamb

George Lamb (11 July 1784 – 2 January 1834) was a British politician and writer.

He was the youngest son of Elizabeth Lamb, Viscountess Melbourne and Peniston Lamb, 1st Viscount Melbourne. However, due to his mother's numerous love affairs, George's true paternity is a matter of debate. It is widely rumored that George's biological father was George IV (then the Prince of Wales),

On 17 May 1809, he married Caroline Rosalie Adelaide St. Jules, the illegitimate daughter of William Cavendish, 5th Duke of Devonshire, by his mistress (and eventual second wife) Lady Elizabeth Foster. In 1805 his brother William had married Caroline's cousin Lady Caroline Ponsonby, whose affair with the poet Lord Byron led her to describe him as "mad, bad, and dangerous to know".

The Lambs had no children and it was speculated that the marriage was never consummated. George would neglect Caroline St. Jules by retiring to bed early to avoid sleeping with his wife. George found his wife to be a distraction from his theatre/literary career. Their marriage was almost in shambles. In 1816, Caroline St. Jules had an affair with Henry Brougham. In addition, Caroline St. Jules felt trapped in a marriage where her husband was neglectful and a drunk.

Caroline St. Jules would confess her marital problems to her mother, Lady Elizabeth Foster. Lady Elizabeth Foster could not see Caroline St. Jules’ and George Lamb's marital problems in any positive light. Lady Elizabeth Foster was disappointed in George's treatment of Caroline and believed him to be "some kind of monster."

Career George Lamb became a barrister at Lincoln's Inn, and was Member of Parliament for Westminster from March 1819 to March 1820, and for Dungarvan from 1822 until his death. He served in Earl Grey's administration as Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department from 1830 until his death.

George Lamb's comic opera Whistle for it was produced in 1807, and his adaptations of Timon of Athens in 1816. His most important work, a translation of the poems of Catullus, was published in 1821.