Ministry of All the Talents

"Government of All the Talents" redirects here. For the term under Gordon Brown, see Premiership of Gordon Brown § "Government of All the Talents".
"Grenville coalition" redirects here. Not to be confused with Grenville ministry.

A group of naked British Whig politicians, including three Grenvilles, Sheridan, St. Vincent, Moira, Temple, Erskine, Howick, Petty, Whitbread, Sheridan, Windham, and Tomline, Bishop of Lincoln, crossing the river Styx in a boat named the Broad Bottom Packet. Sidmouth's head emerges from the water next to the boat. The boat's torn sail has inscription "Catholic Emancipation" and the centre mast is crowned with the Prince of Wales feathers and motto "Ich Dien". On the far side the shades of Cromwell, Charles Fox and Robespierre wave to them. Overhead, on brooms, are the Three Fates; to the left a three-headed dog. Above the boat three birds soil the boat and politicians.
A caricature of the ministry's break-up: James Gillray's Charon's Boat.—or—the Ghosts of "all the Talents" taking their last voyage (1807). Charles Grey, Lord Howick rows and John Jervis, 1st Earl of St Vincent steers.

The Ministry of All the Talents was a national unity government in the United Kingdom formed by William Grenville, 1st Baron Grenville, on his appointment as Prime Minister on 11 February 1806, following the death of William Pitt the Younger.[1][2]

  1. ^ Harvey, A.D. (1972). "The Ministry of All the Talents: The Whigs in Office, February 1806 to March 1807". Historical Journal. 15 (4): 619–648. doi:10.1017/S0018246X00003484. JSTOR 2638036.
  2. ^ "Lord William Wyndham Grenville". Archived from the original on 13 August 2009 – via DukesOfBuckingham.org.uk.