Halloween at Chiswick House and Gardens is just around the corner, but could there be any real ghosts in the grounds? Collections Curator Tessa Kilgarriff reflects on Charles James Fox, a famous politician who met his end at Chiswick.

Charles James Fox (1749–1806) was a Whig party politician known partly for his extravagant lifestyle and distinctive looks, which were often caricatured by printmakers. Fox and Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire, were drawn together by their social circles, political beliefs and perhaps also because they were both frequent targets of the satirical press. The pair were rumoured to have been lovers, though this cannot be substantiated. Fox was also renowned a parliamentary speaker and remained a major force in British politics long after his death.

The 5^th Duke of Devonshire loaned Fox the use of Chiswick House as a place to convalesce after the politician initially fell ill in December 1805. Fox was suffering from what has been described as ‘a dropsical complaint’ which caused him great discomfort and the accumulation of fluid in his legs and abdomen. He sought surgical help but a series of operations did not cure him and Fox died at Chiswick House on 13^th September 1806. His funeral took place at Westminster Abbey, where he is buried, and attracted huge crowds of spectators.