William Pitt , Pitt the Elder. English politician. Entered Parliament (1735) and gained power over Commons with his oratory; opposed Carteret' s Hanoverian policy and system of subsidies to Continental powers (1742-44); paymaster general and privy councilor (1746); dismissed (1755) for opposition to foreign policy of Newcastle cabinet; called reluctantly (1756) by George II as secretary of state and leader of House of Commons, virtually prime minister; dismissed (1757), but immediately recalled and given full control in foreign and military affairs; by vigorous prosecution of war brought about defeats of French in India, Africa, Canada, and on the seas, thus securing Britain a vast empire; compelled to resign by refusal of majority of cabinet to declare war on Spain (1761). Pensioned; continued to oppose attempts to tax American colonists; formed new ministry (1766) with office only as privy seal on account of poor health as result of gout, which caused resignation (1768). Collapsed in House of Lords protesting disruption of empire by peace-at-any-price policy and Duke of Richmond' s motion for withdrawalof forces from America. | Born: Golden Square, Westminster, London, England 15th Nov 1708 | Baptised:
| | Died: Hayes, Kent, England 11th May 1778 | Buried: Westminster Abbey, London, , , England
| | Family: Pitt |
Sources
- Family Archivists: see
Pitt
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