JOHN GEORGE LAMBTON DURHAM, 1ST Earl Of (1792-1840), English statesman, son of William Henry Lambton of Lambton Castle, Durham, was born in London on the 12th of April 1792.
Durham was at this time courted by the youthful Disraeli, who, when Melbourne became prime minister in succession to Grey in 1834, declared that the Whigs could not exist as a party without Lord Durham.
In a letter of congratulation to the queen, Durham took credit for the clemency of his policy towards the rebels, and it was defended on the same ground by Charles Buller and by public opinion in the colony.
Durham was appointed Lord High Commissioner with a commission which placed "a special trust and confidence in his courage, prudence and loyalty." Durham possessed these attributes in full measure but his health and his humour were bad and both were to play a part in his early return.
Durham knew he was being sent abroad to get him out of the country but he had been given a free hand and it was to be a short term assignment.
Durham was relieved that the guilty parties had been given justice, the misguided had received mercy, and society had been accorded security all without shedding a drop of blood.
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