The Creevey Papers
Thomas Creevey to Elizabeth Ord, 2 May 1837
“May 2.
“. . . Altho’ I had Tavistock* to dinner at Essex’s, as well as Clunch.† it was no great day in point of vivacity.
Clunch mutters, and the amiable
Tavistock is feeble. One thing I heard from
Althorp† which I never knew for certain before, that when Lord
Grey’s Government came in, one of their first acts was to
offer Burdett a peerage, which he
refused. Having known and watched Burdett for nearly 40
years, I am perfectly certain that his present hostility to the Government is
attributable to the jealousy of his character. Ever since I have known him, he
would have no rival; and the unexpected and successful one he has found in
Howick has driven him mad. . . . As you
observe, there is a very general impression that Vic is a person with a will of her own.”
Sir Francis Burdett, fifth baronet (1770-1844)
Whig MP for Westminster (1807-1837) who was imprisoned on political charges in 1810 and
again in 1820; in the 1830s he voted with the Conservatives.
Charles Grey, second earl Grey (1764-1845)
Whig statesman and lover of the Duchess of Devonshire; the second son of the first earl
(d. 1807), he was prime minister (1831-34).
Henry George Grey, third earl Grey (1802-1894)
The son of the second earl; he was educated at Trinity College, Cambridge and was a Whig
MP (1826-45) when he succeeded his father. He was secretary for the colonies
(1846-52).
Francis Russell, seventh duke of Bedford (1788-1861)
Son of the sixth Duke (d. 1839); he took an MA from Trinity College, Cambridge in 1808
and served as Whig MP for Peterborough between 1809 and 1812 and for Bedfordshire between
1812 and 1832. He succeeded to the title in 1833.
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).
