William Pitt the Elder
15 November, 1708 (Westminster, Middlesex) - 11 May, 1778 (Hayes, Kent). Full name William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham. Prime Minister of Great Britain 1766-1768 under the rule of George III. Pitt followed Charles Watson-Wentworth, 2nd Marquess of Rockingham in office and was succeeded by Augustus Fitzroy, 3rd Duke of Grafton.
Early Life
Pitt was descended from an influential and well-known family associated with the English East India Company. Furthermore he had a very sophisticated upbringing as he was entered as a gentlemen commoner at Trinity College, Oxford, attended Utrecht University in the Dutch Republic and did the Grand Tour, travelling through France and Italy. After his return to England in 1730 he went to the military. In 1735 he entered parliament for the first time at the age of 27. Later Pitt made himself a name for coming out in opposition to the ministry of Sir Robert Walpole and his policy concerning France.
Seven Years' War
From 1754 there was an increasing conflict between France and Great Britain due to the countries' claim of territory in North America. In 1755 a British expedition was routed by French troops and politicians in the United Kingdom were confronted with heavy losses overseas. Additional defeats against France within the first two years of war provoked the resignation of Prime Minister Thomas Pelham-Holles, 1st Duke of Newcastle in 1756. Under new Prime Minister William Cavendish, 4th Duke of Devonshire, Pitt became the leader of the House of Commons promising to be able to save the country. Accordingly he was left to conduct the war. Strategically Pitt ensured that France was attacked at various frontlines. His main focus lay on the colonies and the sea. Consequently he sent the major part of British troops to North America, supported the British East India Company in its battle against French East India Company and reinforced British Navy in order to inhibit French ports. Moreover Prussian military engrossed French troops on the continent on grounds of a coalition between Frederick the Great and the United Kingdom. His war policy resulted in the defeat of France. Hence the French lost Canada, further areas in North America, Indian trading points and other territories to Great Britain.
Political Career After 1763
Pitt's Legacy
Sources
Pearce, Edward. Pitt the Elder: Man of War. London: The Bodley Head, 2010.
http://www.britannia.com/gov/primes/prime5.html