Prime Ministers (18th Century), Part 3

1766-82: William Pitt the Elder, the Duke of Grafton, Lord North

Following the short stay of the Marquess of Rockingham, it was now (this time officially!) the Elder Pitt again, who headed the government (1766-68); his health, however, was too bad to ever show up in parliament! Anyway, here is an example of his signature (from a "third-person"-letter, 1761); William Pitt, the Elder (like his son later) was one of the most important politicians of the 18th century.

Below, you can see an unsigned part of a letter of Pitt, dated 1769.

Pitt, who had been created "First Earl of Chatham" in 1766, participated in his own ministry only through letters which he sent to members of his government, like the Duke of Grafton. Finally, in 1768, he had to retire.

Pitt was followed by the Duke of Grafton (born Augustus Henry Fitzroy, 1735-1811, PM 1768-70). The Duke was a descendant of King Charles II by one of his mistresses, Barbara Villiers. When the Elder Pitt wasn´t able to attend the sessions, it was Grafton who was the "de facto" Prime Minister, before he became PM in his own right in 1768. On the left, you can see his signature on a document which he signed on 27 May 1767.

After him, it was Lord Frederick North (1732-92), who took over in 1770 and saw the loss of a part of the American colonies, who declared their Independence on the 4th of July 1776 (and became the USA). North is notorious and known mainly for this loss, but it was King George III who with his politics was responsible for starting the war with the colonies. Nevertheless, North held his position as long as no one since Robert Walpole.

On the left, Lord North´s signature, on the right a part of a painting which was made during his reign.

In 1782, the Marquess of Rockingham was asked again to head the government, but he died the same year.

Please click here to continue...

Or go back to "Prime Minister (18th Century) - Index"