Spencer Compton, Earl of Wilmington Papers
Scope and Contents
This collection contains the household accounts and inventories of George II, while he was Prince of Wales. These accounts, drawn up by his Treasurer Spencer Compton, earl of Wilmington, contain records from 1714-1727. This collection also contains Spencer Compton's personal papers, household accounts, and the accounts to Spencer by Richard Andrew and Edward Godfrey.
Dates
- Creation: 1713-1732
- Creation: Majority of material found within 1717 - 1727
Access
Collection is open for research.
Publication Rights
The Clark Library owns the property rights to its collections but does not hold the copyright to these materials and therefore cannot grant or deny permission to use them. Researchers are responsible for determining the copyright status of any materials they may wish to use, investigating the owner of the copyright, and obtaining permission for their intended publication or other use. In all cases, you must cite the Clark Library as the source with the following credit line: The William Andrews Clark Memorial Library, University of California, Los Angeles.
Biography
Spencer Compton, earl of Wilmington (1673?-1743) worked from 1715-1727 as the Prince of Wales' Treasurer. In 1713 Compton joined Parliament as a member from East Grinstead. In 1715 he was unanimously voted Speaker and remained in that position until 1727. In 1716 he joined the Privy council, was Paymaster General from 1722-1730, and was titled Knight of the Bath in 1725. When the Prince of Wales took the throne as George II, Compton was encouraged to become the Prime Minister. However, he declined and Walpole took the position. On January 11, 1728, as a concession, George II titled Compton the Baron Wilmington. He was further made Lord Privy Seal, Lord President of the Council, Knight of the Garter, and the First Lord of the Treasury. In 1742 he claimed the position of Prime Minister, but held the title only in name. In 1742, he was again named Speaker of the House. Compton died on July 1743.
Extent
0.4 Linear Feet (1 box)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Accounts, inventories, and receipts of George II and Spencer Compton.
Arrangement
This collection contains two series. One includes accounts, reports, and inventories relating to the Prince of Wales from 1713-1727. The other series is made up of Spencer Compton, earl of Wilmington's papers.
Physical Location
Clark Library
Acquisiton note
Purchase, Winifred Myers, 1973.
Processing History
This collection was previously physcially processed and cataloged at the collection level. The collection was reprocessed and described by Rebecca Ruud in 2012.
- Title
- Finding Aid for the Spencer Compton, Earl of Wilmington Papers
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Finding aid by Rebecca Ruud
- Date
- 2012
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the William Andrews Clark Memorial Library Repository