(1779–1848). The prime minister of Great Britain for more than six years, Viscount Melbourne served as adviser and mentor to Queen Victoria during the early part of her reign.
William Lamb, the future Lord Melbourne, was born on March 15, 1779, in London. His mother was known for her beauty and wit and used these attributes to win a prominent place in society for the family. Lamb attended Eton and Cambridge. He was interested in literature and enjoyed writing poetry and plays, but he chose law for his career. In 1805, however, his elder brother died, making Lamb heir to his father’s title. As a future lord he was expected to take part in government. Giving up the law, he won a seat in the House of Commons.
Also in 1805 he married Lady Caroline Ponsonby. The marriage brought him much unhappiness. His wife’s love for the poet Lord Byron caused a public scandal. After 20 years of marriage Lamb obtained a legal separation, but he continued to visit and write his wife until her death in 1828. On his father’s death in 1829 Lamb was made Viscount Melbourne, and that year he entered the House of Lords.
At the age of 48 he received his first high appointment—as chief secretary of Ireland. In 1830 he advanced to the post of home secretary. The Industrial Revolution had put many people out of work, and they reacted by rioting and burning machinery. Melbourne, who feared that the unrest would spread, put down the disorders and punished the offenders harshly. His effectiveness won him respect, and in 1834 he became prime minister. His government fell a few months later, but he returned to office in 1835 and served as prime minister for six years. Melbourne died in Brocket, England, on Nov. 24, 1848.