William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham
William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham (15 November 1708 – 11 May 1778) was a prime minister of Great Britain. He was appointed by King George III.
The Earl of Chatham | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Prime Minister of Great Britain | |
| In office 30 July 1766 – 14 October 1768 | |
| Preceded by | The Marquess of Rockingham |
| Succeeded by | The Duke of Grafton |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 15 November 1708 Westminster, London, England |
| Died | 11 May 1778 (aged 69) Hayes, Kent, England |
| Political party | Whig |
His London house, in St. James's Square, is now the home of the international affairs think tank called Chatham House.
In 1758, during the Seven Years' War, he came up with the strategy of blocking the St. Lawrence River so the French troops in Quebec and Montreal could not get more supplies. This weakened the French side, and helped to win the war.[1]
His son, William Pitt the Younger, was also a prime minister.
William Pitt, 1st Earl Of Chatham Media
Governor Thomas "Diamond" Pitt
Lord Cobham, Pitt's commanding officer and political mentor. Pitt was part of a group of young MPs known as Cobham's Cubs.
The huge monument to William Pitt the Elder, in the Guildhall, London stands opposite an equally huge monument to his son, William Pitt the Younger in a balanced composition
George II leading his forces to victory at the Battle of Dettingen (1743). Pitt incurred his lasting displeasure by attacking British support for Hanover, which would blight their relations for twenty years.
William Pitt the Elder, by Joseph Wilton, National Portrait Gallery, London
"We must declare war on France". This curious representation of William Pitt making a speech to Parliament wants to show his absolute opposition to France on colonial problems.
Pitt's longstanding rival Henry Fox
The Duke of Newcastle with whom Pitt formed an unlikely political partnership from 1757
James Wolfe's victory at the Battle of Quebec in 1759
New borders drawn by the Royal Proclamation of 1763
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References
- ↑ Black, Jeremy. Pitt the Elder. Cambridge University Press, 1992.