Grey

Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)

CHARLES, 2D EARL, an English statesman; born in Falladon, near Alnwick, Northumberland, England, March 13, 1764. He became in 1786 a member of Parliament, and in 1792 was one of the founders and most active members of the "Society of the Friends of the People." In 1797 he brought forward a motion for parliamentary reform, for which he continued to labor strenuously, though he was for many years unsuccessful in carrying the object of his wishes. When Lord Grenville, in 1806, came into office, Grey, as Lord Howick, became First Lord of the Admiralty, and, as one of the leaders of the House of Commons, carried the act for the abolition of the slave trade. In the following year the cabinet was broken up, and he, in the same year, succeeded to the title by the death of his father. In the House of Lords he became one of the leaders of the opposition. For many years he remained out of office; but in 1830 he was called on by William IV. to form a new cabinet. He accordingly became prime acc minister, and announced "peace, retrenchment, and reform" as the objects of his policy. In 1831 the Reform Bill was introduced by Lord John Russell into the House of Commons; but in the following year the ministers resigned, on account of a motion of Lord Lyndhurst. They were restored to power, however, and in the same year the bill was passed. In the succeeding year Earl Grey resigned, and, after about two years, retired from public life. He died July 7, 1845.