= Spencer Compton = '''Spencer Compton''' was a [[UnitedKingdom/WhigParty|Whig]] politician and a member of the [[UnitedKingdom/Parliament|Parliament]] in [[UnitedKingdom/Democratization|England]]. <> ---- == History == Compton was a younger son of James Compton, earl of Northampton. His family were known to be [[UnitedKingdom/ToryParty|Tories]]; he in contrast stood for elections as a [[UnitedKingdom/WhigParty|Whig]]. He was finally elected to the [[UnitedKingdom/Parliament|Commons]] in 1698 for Eye, a [[EnglandInTheAgeOfTheAmericanRevolution|rotten borough]]. Following the '''Sacheverell riots''', Compton did not stand for the 1710 election at all. He returned to Parliament in 1713. With the [[UnitedKingdom/GeorgeI|Hanoverian succession]] and a Whig victory in 1714 elections, Compton became a prominent figure in the Commons and was elected speaker. He generally was associated politically with the '''Patriot Whigs''' and [[UnitedKingdom/GeorgeII|George, prince of Wales]]. He maintained the speakership throughout the '''Whig Split''' and despite these associations that otherwise placed him opposite the [[UnitedKingdom/CharlesTownshend|Townshend]] government. Shortly after George II succeeded the throne, in 1728, Compton was created '''baron of Wilmington'''. This was a strategic move by [[UnitedKingdom/RobertWalpole|Walpole]] to remove him from the Commons. Two years later he was created '''viscount of Pevensey''' and '''earl of Wilmington'''. In the House of Lords, he remained a minor member of government. Walpole was forced to resign from government in 1742. Compton inherited the government but remained a nominal leader, while [[UnitedKingdom/HenryPelham|Pelham]] was the effective leader. Compton died the next year. ---- CategoryRicottone