King William IV had dismissed the Whig government of Lord Melbourne on 14 November 1834 and asked Sir Robert Peel to form a government. Peel was in Italy at the time, so the Duke of Wellington formed a caretaker government which lasted until Peel was able to form his government on 10 December.
Source: C. Cook and B. Keith, British Historical Facts 1830-1900
Last updated: 06-05-2005 01:19:03