Why Did Pitt the Younger Become Prime Minister
Why did Pitt the Younger become Prime Minister On the 28th May 1759, William Pitt the Younger was appointed Prime Minister of Great Britain. There were a number of reasons which ensured Pitt’s entry into office; however some reasons had more impact:
The first reason was Pitt’s early political career, combined with his own ability. Due to poor health, he was educated at home by the Reverend Edward Wilson. Pitt, an extremely intelligent individual, quickly became proficient in Latin and Greek. In 1773, aged only fourteen years, he attended Pembroke Hall (now Pembroke College, Cambridge), where he studied political philosophy, classics, mathematics, chemistry, and history. At Cambridge, Pitt was tutored by George Pretyman who became a close personal friend. Pitt’s fantastic and early education put him on top of many other politicians as he was well respected and had also developed skills which would be very useful as time went by, especially in political philosophy where he would learn to carefully analyse political problems, and transfer his thoughts successfully via his writing skills obtained from classics and history. Of course Pitt’s early political career was very important, as it is essential to recognise that he achieved his post as Prime Minister only by cleverly and politically climbing up the political ladder. During the 1780 elections, Pitt contested the “University of Cambridge” seat, but unfortunately lost. However during the next year of 1781, Pitt entered the House of Commons, within a year of entering the House of Commons, Pitt was appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer. The Death of Lord Rockingham was also very important for Pitt’s rise to power. Many Whigs who had formed a part of the Rockingham ministry, including Charles James Fox, now refused to serve under the new Prime Minister. Pitt, however, was comfortable joining the Shelburne Government; he was appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer (making use of his mathematics education).
The first reason was Pitt’s early political career, combined with his own ability. Due to poor health, he was educated at home by the Reverend Edward Wilson. Pitt, an extremely intelligent individual, quickly became proficient in Latin and Greek. In 1773, aged only fourteen years, he attended Pembroke Hall (now Pembroke College, Cambridge), where he studied political philosophy, classics, mathematics, chemistry, and history. At Cambridge, Pitt was tutored by George Pretyman who became a close personal friend. Pitt’s fantastic and early education put him on top of many other politicians as he was well respected and had also developed skills which would be very useful as time went by, especially in political philosophy where he would learn to carefully analyse political problems, and transfer his thoughts successfully via his writing skills obtained from classics and history. Of course Pitt’s early political career was very important, as it is essential to recognise that he achieved his post as Prime Minister only by cleverly and politically climbing up the political ladder. During the 1780 elections, Pitt contested the “University of Cambridge” seat, but unfortunately lost. However during the next year of 1781, Pitt entered the House of Commons, within a year of entering the House of Commons, Pitt was appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer. The Death of Lord Rockingham was also very important for Pitt’s rise to power. Many Whigs who had formed a part of the Rockingham ministry, including Charles James Fox, now refused to serve under the new Prime Minister. Pitt, however, was comfortable joining the Shelburne Government; he was appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer (making use of his mathematics education).