William Petty, Earl of Shelburne 1782-3 Whig
William Petty, Earl of Shelburne 1782-3 WhigBorn: 2 May 1737 in Dublin, IrelandFirst entered Parliament: 2 June 1760Age he became PM: 45 years, 63 daysMaiden speech: 5 February 1762 in favour of withdrawing troops from GermanyTotal time as PM: 266 daysDied: 7 May 1805 at Berkerly Square, LondonFacts and figuresNicknames: "Malagrida" and "The Jesuit in Berkerly Square"Education: Christ Church, OxfordFamily: He was married twice and three sons and one daughter.Interests: Literature, chess player, landscapingBiographyDevious and untrustworthyAn intellectual figure credited with establishing some early reformist ideas, Shelburne was less appreciated in his own time, being considered devious and untrustworthy.In the 1760s he spent two years as Pitt's Secretary of State, and in the late 1770s led the Whigs in Opposition. On Rockingham's death in 1782, he formed a government as PM, with the 23-year-old Pitt the Younger as his Chancellor.During his short term he succeeded in securing peace with America, France and Spain, presided over the beginning of Britain's trade recovery, and put forward a programme of public service reform.Quote unquote"The sun of Great Britain will set whenever she acknowledges the independence of America - the independence of America would end in the ruin of England."Did you know?John Henry Petty Fitzmaurice, his son by the first marriage, was a member of the House of Commons for twenty years as member for Chipping Wycombe.First wife - Lady Sophia CarteretMarried the Earl when she was 19 but died when she was just 25. Described as an 'amiable, virtuous woman'.Second wife - Lady Louisa FitzpatrickShelburne's second wife played chess and billiards and was highly regarded for her 'beauty, reserve and kindness'. She was 18 years younger than the Earl but died many years before him aged just 34 in London's Berkeley Square. |