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 | |
|---|---|
| File:Elderpitt.jpg | |
| 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
- Thomaspitt.jpg
Governor Thomas "Diamond" Pitt
- Richard Temple, 1st Viscount Cobham by Jean Baptiste van Loo.jpg
Lord Cobham, Pitt's commanding officer and political mentor. Pitt was part of a group of young MPs known as Cobham's Cubs.
- The monument to William Pitt the Elder, in the Guildhall, London.JPG
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
- GeorgeIIWootton1743.jpg
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
- William Pitt discourt au parlement guerre contre la France.jpg
"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.
- Henry Fox, 1st Baron Holland by John Giles Eccardt.jpg
Pitt's longstanding rival Henry Fox
- Thomas Pelham-Holles (1693-1768).jpg
The Duke of Newcastle with whom Pitt formed an unlikely political partnership from 1757
- PlainsOfAbraham2007.jpg
James Wolfe's victory at the Battle of Quebec in 1759
- NorthAmerica1762-83.png
New borders drawn by the Royal Proclamation of 1763
References
- ↑ Black, Jeremy. Pitt the Elder. Cambridge University Press, 1992.