Born on November 1, 1762, in Mayfair, Middlesex, England, Perceval was the younger son of an Anglo-Irish earl. His educational journey took him to Harrow School and Trinity College, Cambridge. As a barrister, he practiced law on the Midland circuit and became a King’s Counsel in 1796. At the age of 33, he entered politics as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Northampton. Although he aligned with William Pitt the Younger, Perceval preferred to describe himself as a “friend of Mr. Pitt” rather than a Tory. His political stances included opposition to Catholic emancipation, support for the war against Napoleon, and advocacy for the abolition of the Atlantic slave trade. He also abstained from vices such as hunting, gambling, and adultery, and was known for his generosity to charity and devotion to his thirteen children.

Tragically, on May 11, 1812, around 5:15 pm, Spencer Perceval met his untimely end. He was shot dead in the lobby of the House of Commons by John Bellingham, a Liverpool merchant who harbored grievances against the government4. Perceval’s legacy remains etched in history, a testament to his unique role in British politics and the tragic circumstances of his demise.