John Spencer, 1st Earl Spencer

John Spencer, 1st Earl Spencer (19 December 1734 – 31 October 1783), styled Viscount Spencer from 1761–5, was a British peer and politician.

Early life

Spencer was born on 19 December 1734 at Althorp, his family's home in Northamptonshire. He was the only son of the Hon. John Spencer and the former Georgiana Caroline Carteret. His only sibling was his sister, Diana Spencer, who died at 8 years old. After his father's alcohol-related death in 1746, his mother married, secondly, William Clavering-Cowper, 2nd Earl Cowper.

His father was the youngest son of Charles Spencer, 3rd Earl of Sunderland, the First Lord of the Treasury and Lord President of the Council under George I, and his second wife, Lady Anne Churchill (third daughter of the 1st Duke of Marlborough), who served as Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Anne. Among his paternal family were uncle Robert Spencer, 4th Earl of Sunderland, aunt Lady Anne Spencer (wife of 1st Viscount Bateman), Charles Spencer, 5th Earl of Sunderland (who succeeded his great-aunt, Henrietta, becoming the 3rd Duke of Marlborough), and aunt Lady Diana Spencer (wife of the 4th Duke of Bedford).

His mother was the third daughter and heiress of Lord President of the Council John Carteret, 2nd Earl Granville, and his first wife, Frances Worsley (daughter of Sir Robert Worsley, 4th Baronet).

Spencer was the principal beneficiary under the will of his great-grandmother Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough who stipulated, however, that should he at any time accept "from any King or Queen of these realms any pension, or any office or employment, civil or military" (except the Rangership of Windsor Great or Little Park), the estate would pass to the next heir "as if the same John Spencer were actually dead."

"As I am the representative of the Sunderland family, and as my particular circumstances are such (from the Duchess of Marlborough's will) that I cannot receive any favour from the King except a title, I should hope that if his Majesty thinks me worthy of a peerage he will not confer upon me a less dignity than that of a viscount... I hope your Grace has observed that ever since I sat in Parliament I have never failed in supporting the King and his ministers to the best of my ability."

Spencer went into Opposition with Newcastle in 1762, and when the Rockingham Government was being formed, Newcastle noted in his lists: "Viscount Spencer to be created an earl" which happened when he was created Viscount Althorp and Earl Spencer on 1 November 1765. Next, he adhered to the Chatham Administration. The ceremony, held in an upper bedroom, occurred during a ball held in Spencer's honour with five hundred guests in attendance. They had five children, three of whom survived infancy:

Lady Georgiana Spencer (1757–1806), who married William Cavendish, 5th Duke of Devonshire. George John Spencer, 2nd Earl Spencer (1758–1834), who married Lady Lavinia Bingham, daughter of Charles Bingham, 1st Earl of Lucan. Lady Henrietta Frances Spencer (1761–1821), who married Frederick Ponsonby, 3rd Earl of Bessborough. Lady Charlotte Spencer (1765–1766), who died in infancy. Lady Louisa Spencer (1769–1769), who died in infancy. Spencer House (1752––1754) by John Vardy. Spencer House was the home of the Earls of Spencer until 1895. This is the view from Green Park. The Spencers owned many estates, but preferred to reside at Althorp. In 1764, the family moved to their newly built London residence, Spencer House. Intended to be worthy of Spencer's large collection of antiquities, the lavish residence took seven years and £50,000 to build.

Spencer died aged 48 on 31 October 1783 near Bath. He had suffered from a long illness. He was buried in the family vault at St Mary's Church, Great Brington in Northamptonshire. His widow lived another 30 years before her death on 18 March 1814.

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