The younger son of George Spencer, the second earl; he was educated at Eton and served as a naval captain and as Whig MP for Worcestershire (1831-1832) and Midhurst (1832-1834, 1837-1841).

CORRESPONDENCE OF Frederick Spencer, fourth earl Spencer:

Lord Althorp to Thomas Creevey, 11 May 1827 in The Creevey Papers: A Selection from the Correspondence & Diaries of the late Thomas Creevey, M.P. (London: John Murray, 1903)