The Creevey Papers
Lord Henry Petty to Thomas Creevey, January 1806
“Cambridge, January, 1806.
“We go on well, and I hope to beat Palmerston even if Althorp stands, which is possible, for he tells me he is urged
to continue, and tries to think he has some chance of success, which is out of
the question. The Johnians have discovered that I am a lurking dissenter. . . .
Some five Pittites proposed setting up Ld. Hadley to give
the College an opportunity of showing its respect for the memory of Mr. P. by voting against Ld.
Althorp and me.”
William Pitt the younger (1759-1806)
The second son of William Pitt, earl of Chatham (1708-1778); he was Tory prime minister
1783-1801.
John Charles Spencer, third earl Spencer (1782-1845)
English politician, son of the second earl (d. 1834); educated at Harrow and Trinity
College, Cambridge, he was Whig MP for Northamptonshire (1806-34) and chancellor of the
exchequer and leader of the lower house under Lord Grey (1830).
Henry John Temple, third viscount Palmerston (1784-1865)
After education at Harrow and Edinburgh University he was MP for Newport (1807-11) and
Cambridge University (1811-31), foreign minister (1830-41), and prime minister (1855-58,
1859-65).
