William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham

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The Earl of Chatham
Prime Minister of Great Britain
In office
30 July 1766 – 14 October 1768
Preceded byThe Marquess of Rockingham
Succeeded byThe Duke of Grafton
Personal details
Born(1708-11-15)15 November 1708
Westminster, London, England
Died11 May 1778(1778-05-11) (aged 69)
Hayes, Kent, England
Political partyWhig

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.

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.

References[change | change source]

  1. Black, Jeremy. Pitt the Elder. Cambridge University Press, 1992.