Canning (kan'ning), George. An English statesman and orator. Born in London, 1770. He commenced his career at the bar, but being brought into the House of Commons by Mr. Pitt, he abandoned the law for politics. In the Portland administration, Canning became secretary of state for foreign affairs, and largely contributed in that capacity to the overthrow of the plans of Napoleon. In 1816 he was appointed president of the Board of Control of Indian Affairs and, in 1822, foreign secretary for the second time. On the death of Earl of Liverpool, Canning became first minister of the Crown, and distinguished his government by the liberal tendencies of his home and foreign policy. Died 1827.

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