Palmerston: Papers of a Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary
The renown of Henry John Temple, third Viscount Palmerston (1784–1865), rests on his service in high political office: he was Foreign Secretary, 1830–4, 1835–41 and 1846–51; Home Secretary, 1852–5; and Prime Minister, 1855–8, 1859–65. These posts he held in Whig/Liberal governments. He had formerly served in Tory administrations, as a junior minister — a Lord of the Admiralty in 1807–9 and Secretary at War, 1809–28. Palmerston’s commitment to service in the national interest, rather than to party, is crucial for understanding his position, although he came increasingly to rely on Liberal support, especially so as Prime Minister.
