Lord William John "Dolly" Melbourne, 2nd Earl of Melbourne, KG, PC (1779 – 1848) was a British statesman who served as Prime Minister three times during the nineteenth century. He is known as the Victorian host and hostess. Lord Melbourne was born in 1779 at Hayes, Middlesex. He was educated at Eton College and Trinity College, Cambridge. He was called to the Bar, Middle Temple, in 1800 and then entered politics as member for Chelsea from 1806 to 1807
In the House of Lords he took a leading part in opposing the Catholic Emancipation Bill. In 1832 he became Home Secretary under Earl Grey's administration and continued under Lord John Russell's leadership until 1834. He became Prime Minister and held office until December 1841, when he resigned on account of his advanced age.
His last years were passed abroad and he died at Boulogne-sur-Mer on 18 September 1848.
Solitude and retirement cherish grief, employment and exertion are the only means of dissipating it.Lord Melbourne
While I cannot be regarded as a pillar I must be regarded as a buttress of the church because I support it from outside.Lord Melbourne
Things are coming to a pretty pass when religion is allowed to invade private life.Lord Melbourne
The whole duty of government is to prevent crime and to preserve contracts.Lord Melbourne
