The Creevey Papers
Thomas Creevey to Elizabeth Ord, 21 April 1827
“Holkham, April 21st.
“. . . I have no doubt that the selection of
Copley to be Chancellor has been the
stumbling-block to Lansdowne, for old
Lord Wm. Russell writes to Lord John that no man of honor could sit in the
same cabinet with such a scoundrel as Copley, and that
Canning is for ever disgraced in
having taken him. . . .”
George Canning (1770-1827)
Tory statesman; he was foreign minister (1807-1809) and prime minister (1827); a
supporter of Greek independence and Catholic emancipation.
John Singleton Copley, baron Lyndhurst (1772-1863)
The son of the American painter; he did legal work for John Murray before succeeding Lord
Eldon as lord chancellor (1827-30, 1834-35, 1841-46); a skilled lawyer, he was also a
political chameleon.
John Russell, first earl Russell (1792-1878)
English statesman, son of John Russell sixth duke of Bedford (1766-1839); he was author
of
Essay on the English Constitution (1821) and
Memoirs of the Affairs of Europe (1824) and was Prime Minister (1865-66).
Lord William Russell (1767-1840)
The son of Francis Russell, Marquess of Tavistock; educated at Westminster School, he was
MP for Surrey (1798-1807) and Tavistock (1807-19, 1826-30). He was murdered by his
valet.
