Author: | David C. Hanrahan | ISBN: | 9780752478050 |
Publisher: | The History Press | Publication: | November 30, 2011 |
Imprint: | The History Press | Language: | English |
Author: | David C. Hanrahan |
ISBN: | 9780752478050 |
Publisher: | The History Press |
Publication: | November 30, 2011 |
Imprint: | The History Press |
Language: | English |
The story of the only assassination of a British prime ministerIn a story of suspense, revenge, and personal tragedy, this history tells the interwoven stories of Perceval and Bellingham, detailing not just the events of May 1812, but also the two men's histories, and what led one to take the other's life. The name Spencer Perceval is not as well known as Abraham Lincoln or John F. Kennedy, but he is the only British prime minister to have been assassinated in the almost 300 years that the office has existed. When Perceval arrived at the House of Commons on May 11, 1812, John Bellingham, a successful entrepreneur, shot him in the chest at point-blank range. Within a few minutes he was dead. Bellingham was immediately arrested and put on trial two days later: refusing to plead insanity, he was convicted and hanged before the week was out.
The story of the only assassination of a British prime ministerIn a story of suspense, revenge, and personal tragedy, this history tells the interwoven stories of Perceval and Bellingham, detailing not just the events of May 1812, but also the two men's histories, and what led one to take the other's life. The name Spencer Perceval is not as well known as Abraham Lincoln or John F. Kennedy, but he is the only British prime minister to have been assassinated in the almost 300 years that the office has existed. When Perceval arrived at the House of Commons on May 11, 1812, John Bellingham, a successful entrepreneur, shot him in the chest at point-blank range. Within a few minutes he was dead. Bellingham was immediately arrested and put on trial two days later: refusing to plead insanity, he was convicted and hanged before the week was out.