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=='''Robert Walpole''' == | |||
Sir Robert Walpole, 1st Earl of Orford (1676-1745) was the first Prime Minister in England from 1721 to 1742. | |||
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=='''Childhood and early years''' == | |||
Robert Walpole was born in North Norfolk as the the third son of nineteen children. His father was supporting the [[Whigs]] in [[William III]]'s parliament. Due to the early death of his father and his older brothers, Robert Walpole became the head of the family. He was educated at Eton and at King's, but his main interest were politics. In 1700 he married Catherine Shorter. Both shared an flamboyant taste and way of life. | |||
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=='''Political career''' == | |||
His political career started in 1701, when he entered parliament. He soon became the leader of the Norfolk members. Through his brother-in-law and friend Lord Townshend, he came into the Whig society. In 1705 he became a member of Prince Georges's naval council and the Secretary of War in 1708, follwed by the position of the Treasurer of the Navy in 1710. | |||
The victory of the Tories in 1720 lead to a downfall of Walpole. He was accused of corruption and therefore sent to prison or a short time. Walpoles position in the Whig's society got only stronger. He was announced first Paymaster in 1714 and First Lord of Treasury and Chancellor of the Exchequer only one year later in 1715. This gave him the oportunity to expand his private fortune as he never made a distinction between private and public money. But Walpole's financial sense also lead to good developments like the redemption of debts and the consolidation of rates of interest. After Townshend's run of misfortunes, Walpole joined the opposition together with his friend. | |||
Walpole was First Lord of the Treasury (the term 'Prime Minister' was asserted later) from 1721 to 1742, which gave him control over Parliament. This office came into being due to the Crown's retreat from constitutional initiatives and was supported by the inabilty of [[George I]] and [[George II]]. His tenure was crucial. | |||
Walpole was driven by the pursuit of power, he was not committed to any programme. He valued stabilty in politics. For this reason, he manipulated the patronage of the Crown, bribed, did jobbery and got rid of rivals. | |||
He fell from power in 1742 after a long struggle to remain power since the outbreak o the war in 1739. | |||
== '''Literature''' == | |||
Maurer, Michael. Kleine Geschichte Englands. Reclam: Stuttgart 2007. | |||
Treasure, Geoffrey. Who's who in history. Volume IV: England 1714-1789. Basil Blackwell: Oxford 1969. | |||
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/635013/Robert-Walpole-1st-Earl-of-Orford | |||
Revision as of 12:44, 25 October 2009
Robert Walpole
Sir Robert Walpole, 1st Earl of Orford (1676-1745) was the first Prime Minister in England from 1721 to 1742.
Childhood and early years
Robert Walpole was born in North Norfolk as the the third son of nineteen children. His father was supporting the Whigs in William III's parliament. Due to the early death of his father and his older brothers, Robert Walpole became the head of the family. He was educated at Eton and at King's, but his main interest were politics. In 1700 he married Catherine Shorter. Both shared an flamboyant taste and way of life.
Political career
His political career started in 1701, when he entered parliament. He soon became the leader of the Norfolk members. Through his brother-in-law and friend Lord Townshend, he came into the Whig society. In 1705 he became a member of Prince Georges's naval council and the Secretary of War in 1708, follwed by the position of the Treasurer of the Navy in 1710.
The victory of the Tories in 1720 lead to a downfall of Walpole. He was accused of corruption and therefore sent to prison or a short time. Walpoles position in the Whig's society got only stronger. He was announced first Paymaster in 1714 and First Lord of Treasury and Chancellor of the Exchequer only one year later in 1715. This gave him the oportunity to expand his private fortune as he never made a distinction between private and public money. But Walpole's financial sense also lead to good developments like the redemption of debts and the consolidation of rates of interest. After Townshend's run of misfortunes, Walpole joined the opposition together with his friend.
Walpole was First Lord of the Treasury (the term 'Prime Minister' was asserted later) from 1721 to 1742, which gave him control over Parliament. This office came into being due to the Crown's retreat from constitutional initiatives and was supported by the inabilty of George I and George II. His tenure was crucial. Walpole was driven by the pursuit of power, he was not committed to any programme. He valued stabilty in politics. For this reason, he manipulated the patronage of the Crown, bribed, did jobbery and got rid of rivals.
He fell from power in 1742 after a long struggle to remain power since the outbreak o the war in 1739.
Literature
Maurer, Michael. Kleine Geschichte Englands. Reclam: Stuttgart 2007.
Treasure, Geoffrey. Who's who in history. Volume IV: England 1714-1789. Basil Blackwell: Oxford 1969.
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/635013/Robert-Walpole-1st-Earl-of-Orford