1812 in the United Kingdom

Events from the year 1812 in the United Kingdom. In this year, the United Kingdom was still at war with France. Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington was involved with the Peninsular War in Spain. Britain's attempts to stop trade with France led to conflict with the United States in the War of 1812. The year also marked the only time a Prime Minister of the United Kingdom was assassinated when Spencer Perceval was shot in the House of Commons.

Incumbents

*Monarch - George III of the United Kingdom
*Prime Minister - Spencer Perceval, Tory (until 11 May), Robert Jenkinson, 2nd Earl of Liverpool, Tory

Events

* February - Framebreaking Act imposes the death penalty for Luddites.cite book |last=Palmer |first=Alan & Veronica |year=1992 |title= The Chronology of British History|publisher= Century Ltd|location=London|pages= 240-241|isbn= 0-7126-5616-2]
* 27 February - Poet Lord Byron gives his first address as a member of the House of Lords, in defence of Luddite violence against Industrialism in his home county of Nottinghamshire.
* 15 March - Luddites attack wool processing factory of Frank Vickerman in West Yorkshire.
* 4 April - U.S. President James Madison enacted a ninety-day embargo on trade with the United Kingdom.
* 11 May - Bankrupt banker John Bellingham assassinates the Prime Minister Spencer Perceval in the lobby of the House of Commons.
* 25 May - Felling mine disaster: Mine explosion at Felling colliery near Jarrow — 96 dead.
* 18 June - The War of 1812 begins between the United States and the United Kingdom.
* 22 July - Peninsular War: At the Battle of Salamanca, British forces led by Lord Wellington defeat French troops near Salamanca in Spain.cite book|title=Penguin Pocket On This Day|publisher=Penguin Reference Library|isbn=0-141-02715-0|year=2006]
* 12 August - Peninsular War: Wellington enters Madrid following the Battle of Salamanca.
* 16 August - War of 1812: American General William Hull surrenders Fort Detroit without a fight to the British Army.
* 19 August - War of 1812: "USS Constitution" defeats the British frigate "Guerrière" off the coast of Nova Scotia.
* 5 October–10 November: A general election sees victory for the Tory Party under Robert Jenkinson, 2nd Earl of Liverpool.
* 9 October - War of 1812: In a naval engagement on Lake Erie, American forces capture two British ships; "HMS Detroit" and "HMS Caledonia".
* 13 October - War of 1812: Battle of Queenston Heights - As part of the Niagara campaign in Ontario, Canada, American forces under General Stephen Van Rensselaer are repulsed from invading Canada by British and native troops led by Sir Isaac Brock (although he dies during the battle).
* 7 November - The "HMS Victory" is retired. [cite web|url=http://www.icons.org.uk/theicons/icons-timeline/1800-1820|title=Icons, a portrait of England 1800-1820|accessdate=2007-09-11]

Publications

* First two cantos of Lord Byron's "Childe Harold's Pilgrimage".
* James and Horace Smith's parodies "Rejected Addresses".

Births

* 7 February - Charles Dickens, writer (died 1870)
* 1 March - Augustus Pugin, English-born architect (died 1852)
* 7 May - Robert Browning, poet (died 1889)
* 12 May - Edward Lear, artist, illustrator and writer (died 1888)
* 25 November - Henry Mayhew, writer (died 1887)
* 23 December - Samuel Smiles, author and reformer (died 1904)

Deaths

* 23 January - Robert Craufurd, general (mortally wounded in battle) (born 1764)
* 11 May - Spencer Perceval, Prime Minister (assassinated) (born 1762)
* 18 May - John Bellingham, Perceval's killer (executed) (born c. 1769)
* 13 October - Isaac Brock, British general (killed in battle) (born 1769)

References

ee also