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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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Lord Melbourne
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(William Lamb, 1779–1848, 2nd viscount Melbourne 1828) Whig politician whose time as prime minister (1834, 1835–41) is largely remembered for his avuncular relationship with the young queen, *Victoria, who said that he made her feel 'safe and comfortable'. His private life had been less satisfactory. His virtually deranged wife (Lady Caroline Lamb, 1785–1828) had an affair with *Byron in 1812–13 which became a very public scandal; and when prime minister he had to appear in court to face a charge (unsuccessful and probably unjust) that he had committed adultery with his friend Caroline Norton. He was home secretary (1830–4) during the period which saw the passing of the *Reform Act, but he took a repressive line with the *Tolpuddle martyrs.
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