RARE biography of William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne (1779-1848) - a British Whig statesman who served as Home Secretary (1830-1834) and Prime Minister (1834 and 1835-1841), best known for his intense and successful mentoring of Queen Victoria in the ways of politics, when she was between the ages of 18 and 21. Drawing on the Melbourne family papers the author explores the private and public life of a man destined for high office and greatly influenced by the women in his life. 240x160mm. XVIII+349 pages. Hardcover with illustrated dust-jacket. Gilt spine. Jacket slightly rubbed. Jacket edges/corners slightly wrinkled. Cover upper corners and spine edges slightly bumped. Some pages upper corner edges folded. Pen underlining near text on some pages. [SUMMARY]: This extremely rare comprehensive biography of one of the most fascinating figures in 19th-century British politics is otherwise in good condition.