George Canning
/ˌdʒɔːdʒ ˈkænɪŋ/
/ˌdʒɔːrdʒ ˈkænɪŋ/
- (1770-1827) a British Tory prime minister (1827). He died soon after becoming Prime Minister, and is better remembered for his period as Foreign Secretary (1822-7), when he gave British support to many independence movements in Europe and South America. He is also well known for fighting a duel (= a fight with guns to settle a disagreement) with his rival, Lord Castlereagh.