The English statesman Robert Barks Jenkinson, 2d Earl of Liverpool (1770-1828), served as prime minister from 1812 to 1827 and was at the center of governmental decisions during more than a quarter century of foreign and domestic crises.

The eldest son of Charles Jenkinson, Robert Jenkinson was born in London on June 7, 1770. He received a superb education, first at Charterhouse and then at Christ Church, Oxford. Interested in history and foreign languages, Robert proved adept at debate, and it was through this talent that he won the notice and ultimately the friendship of his fellow student George Canning. After leaving Oxford, Jenkinson traveled to the Continent. At the age of 20 he was suddenly catapulted into public life by being chosen a member of Parliament for the borough of Appleby. When he was asked by William Pitt to defend an unpopular government measure, his brilliant speech won the approval of the...