The Earl of Wilmington was a title in the British peerage created in 1743. The first holder, Spencer Compton, served as Prime Minister of Great Britain from 1742 to 1743. His leadership was marked by a focus on stability during a time of political turmoil. The title has been held by several individuals, but it became extinct in 1754 when the third Earl died without an heir. The Wilmington title is often associated with the town of Wilmington in Delaware, reflecting the historical connections between British nobility and American geography.