Add MS 89143

The collection is composed of the papers of the politician and Prime Minister George Canning, relating primarily to the period from the late 18th century until his death in 1827, and cover the entirety of Canning's political and diplomatic career, as well as his personal and family life. Canning entered politics in 1793 and served in a variety of roles in the Ministries of William Pitt the Younger, the Duke of Portland, and Lord Liverpool. He was appointment Prime Minister in April 1827, serving 119 days before his death.

The collection comprises original correspondence written to Canning by a wide range of friends, acquaintances, colleagues, and family members; copies of his correspondence (including letters written on his behalf); political and diplomatic memoranda; copies of dispatches; patronage registers; private correspondence; pocket diaries; and published and unpublished writings, including speeches and poetry.

The papers have been divided into three main series: Add MS 89143/1 Political Matters, Add MS 89143/2 Diplomatic Matters, and Add MS 89143/3 Personal and Family Matters. There is a degree of overlap between political and diplomatic material, particularly correspondence, where individuals may have had a political and diplomatic role during their career but corresponded with Canning throughout. In these circumstances, letters can generally be found in the Political Matters series. Additionally, as Foreign Secretary (1807-1809, and 1822-1827) Canning had a key responsibility for the country's diplomatic relationships during a period which included the Napoleonic Wars (1803-1815), and was involved in such events as the bombardment of the Danish Fleet at Copenhagen (1807), the transfer of the Portuguese Court to Brazil (1807), the Congress of Verona (1822), and the recognition of the Latin American Republics in their rebellion against Spain (1824-1825). Papers regarding such events can generally be found in the Diplomatic Matters series, yet correspondence with political friends and acquaintances whilst Foreign Secretary is to be found in the Political Matters series. At the same time, Canning also discussed political and diplomatic matters with his wife Joan Canning, and his relation Rev. William Leigh, whose correspondence can be found in the Personal and Family Matters series.

A small number of additional items were added to the collection by the historian Cedric Collyer, and these have been indicated in the catalogue.