John Spencer, 1st Earl Spencer

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For other persons named John Spencer, see John Spencer (disambiguation).

John Spencer, 1st Earl Spencer (December 19, 1734 – October 31, 1783) was an British peer.

Spencer was born in 1734, at his family home, Althorp. He was the son of Hon. John Spencer and a grandson of the 3rd Earl of Sunderland. On December 20, 1755, Spencer privately married Margaret Poyntz, daughter of Stephen Poyntz, in his mother's dressing room at Althorp. They had five children:

• Lady Georgiana Spencer (1757–1806), married William Cavendish, 5th Duke of Devonshire and had issue.
• George John Spencer, 2nd Earl Spencer (1758–1834)
• Lady Henrietta Frances Spencer (1761–1821), married Frederick Ponsonby, 3rd Earl of Bessborough and had issue.
• Lady Charlotte Spencer (1765–1766), died in infancy.
• Lady Louisa Spencer (b. & d. 1769), died in infancy.

Spencer was MP (Whig) for Warwick from 1756 to 1761. He was also High Steward of St Albans in 1772 and Mayor of St Albans in 1779. On April 3, 1761, he was created 1st Baron Spencer of Althorp and 1st Viscount Spencer. On November 1, 1765, he was created 1st Viscount Althorp and 1st Earl Spencer. Spencer died in 1783, aged 48 in Bath, and was buried at Great Brington, Northamptonshire.

Peerage of Great Britain
Preceded by: New creations	Viscount Spencer 1761–1783	Succeeded by: George Spencer
	Earl Spencer 1765–1783