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2nd Marquess of Rockingham Charles Watson Wentworth Biography |
Charles Watson-Wentworth, 2nd Marquess of Rockingham (May 13, 1730 -July 1, 1782), was an English politician, member of the Whig party, and twice Prime Minister of Great Britain.
A descendant of Thomas Wentworth, Charles was brought up at the family home of Wentworth Woodhouse near Rotherham in South Yorkshire. He was educated at Eton College and Cambridge University.
He took his seat in the House of Lords in 1751, following a brief period of military service, and in 1765 was appointed as Prime Minister by King George III following the resignation of Lord North. During his term of office, he repealed the Stamp Act, and so reduced the tax burden on the colonies. However, internal dissent within the cabinet led to his replacement by Chatham.
Watson-Wentworth spent the next sixteen years in opposition. He was a keen supporter of constitutional rights for colonists, and backed the claim for American independence. In 1782 he was appointed PM for a second time, and on taking office, acknowledged the independence of the United States, initiating an end to British involvement in the American Revolutionary War. He died fourteen weeks later.
Rockingham's Second Government, March - July 1782
Lord Rockingham - First Lord of the Treasury
Lord Thurlow - Lord Chancellor
Lord Camden - Lord President of the Council
The Duke of Grafton - Lord Privy Seal
Lord Shelburne - Secretary of State for the Home Department
Charles James Fox - Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs
Lord Keppel - First Lord of the Admiralty
Henry Seymour Conway - Commander in Chief of the Forces
The Duke of Richmond - Master-General of the Ordnance
Lord John Cavendish - Chancellor of the Exchequer
Lord Ashburton - Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. |
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