<< Back to full list of biographies
Spring Rice was the son of Irish gentleman from co. Limerick and was educated at Trinity College, Cambridge.
He was elected as the Whig M.P. for Limerick in 1820 and retained the seat until 1832 when he was returned for Cambridge Borough. He was a follower of the 3rd Marquess of Lansdowne, and was briefly Under-Secretary for the Home Office in 1827-1828.
He was Secretary to the Treasury from 1830 to 1834, Colonial Secretary from 1834 to 1835, and Chancellor of the Exchequer from 1835. He was aware of his 'inadequacy' in this role, and resigned in 1839, upon which he was given a peerage.
His opinions were conservative, and he was a supporter of the union between Great Britain and Ireland.
Kings Meadow CampusLenton Lane Nottingham, NG7 2NR
telephone: +44 (0) 115 951 4565 fax: +44 (0) 115 846 8651 email: mss-library@nottingham.ac.uk