Wilmington, Spencer Compton, earl of
Wilmington, Spencer Compton, earl of,
1673?–1743, British politician. He was a member of Parliament (1695–1710, 1713–30) and served as speaker of the House of Commons (1715–27). He was paymaster general (1722–30) and in 1730 was created an earl and lord privy seal by Robert WalpoleWalpole, Robert, 1st earl of Orford,1676–1745, English statesman. Early Life and Career
He was the younger son of a prominent Whig family of Norfolk.
..... Click the link for more information. . He turned against Walpole in 1739 and after the latter's fall served briefly (1742–43) as chief minister. He was merely a figurehead, however, and took no active role in the government.