William Pitt

About

Also known as the 1st Earl of Chatham, this Whig politician served during the late 1760s as Prime Minister of Great Britain. Earlier in his political career, he held the titles of Leader of the House of Commons and Paymaster of the Forces.

Before Fame

He paid his way through a year of classes at Trinity College, Oxford, but abandoned his studies to recover from illness and travel abroad. He eventually returned to school, attending Utrecht University in the Netherlands (then the Dutch Republic).

Trivia

From 1757 until 1761, he held office as Secretary of State for Great Britain's Southern Department.

Family Life

His grandfather, Thomas Pitt, was a prominent merchant and imperial administrator, and his father, Robert Pitt, served in Parliament as a member of the Tory political faction. William Pitt's marriage to Lady Hester Grenville resulted in children named James, Hester, William, Harriet, and John.

Associated With

Pitt served as Prime Minister during the reign of King George III of England.