George Canning (1770-1827) was Prime Minister for 4 months in 1827, dying whilst in office. Canning was born in London but was an MP for Liverpool 1812-22 and then Harwich. Before serving as Primie Minister, he had twice been foreign secretary.
He has a literary connection from the publication of his Poems in 1823 and the fact that he was a co-founder of and contributor to the Anti-Jacobin in 1797-8. This publication was set up to counter the Radical views published in other magazines such as Coleridge's The Watchman.
On 30th August 1822, a public dinner was given in his honour at the Lyceum before his intended departure to assume the Governor-Generalship of India.
He is remembered in Liverpool by Canning Street, Canning Place as well as being commemorated by a statue in the Town Hall |
