Ministry of All the Talents

The Ministry of All the Talents was a national unity government in the United Kingdom formed by William Grenville, 1st Baron Grenville, on his appointment as Prime Minister on 11 February 1806, following the death of William Pitt the Younger.

[1][2] With the country remaining at war, Grenville aimed to form the strongest possible government and so included most leading politicians from almost all groupings, although some followers of the younger Pitt, led by George Canning, refused to join.

The inclusion of Charles James Fox surprised some as King George III had previously been very hostile to Fox, but the King's willingness to put aside past enmities for the sake of national unity encouraged many others to join or support the government as well.

The Ministry of All the Talents had comparatively little success, failing to bring the sought-after peace with France.

[3] In Ireland, the Government of the 20th Dáil (a Fine Gael–Labour coalition that was in office between 1973 and 1977) was widely called the "cabinet of all the talents.

A group of naked British Whig politicians, including three Grenvilles, Sheridan, St. Vincent, Moira, Temple, Erskine, Howick, Petty, Whitbread, Sheridan, Windham, and Tomline, Bishop of Lincoln, crossing the river Styx in a boat named the Broad Bottom Packet. Sidmouth's head emerges from the water next to the boat. The boat's torn sail has inscription "Catholic Emancipation" and the centre mast is crowned with the Prince of Wales feathers and motto "Ich Dien". On the far side the shades of Cromwell, Charles Fox and Robespierre wave to them. Overhead, on brooms, are the Three Fates; to the left a three-headed dog. Above the boat three birds soil the boat and politicians.
A caricature of the ministry's break-up: James Gillray 's Charon 's Boat.—or—the Ghosts of "all the Talents" taking their last voyage (1807). Charles Grey, Lord Howick rows and John Jervis, 1st Earl of St Vincent steers.
Portrait of Lord Grenville by John Hoppner . Grenville, a former ally of Pitt the Younger , led the government during its thirteen months in office.
Portrait of Lord Moira by Joshua Reynolds . Moira represented the supporters of the Prince of Wales in the cabinet.