Robert Walpole

Brief History Regarded as the first British prime minister and if fact was the first PM to reside in 10 Downing Street. The third son of a family of seventeen, he was educated at Eton and Cambridge, and inherited a country estate aged 24 which gave him the wealth necessary to enter politics at the time. In 1701 he became the Whig member of Parliament for Castle Rising, Norfolk. He proved himself an excellent speaker, and rose rapidly within the party. He was made a member of the Admiralty Board, Secretary of War and, in 1709, Treasurer of the Navy. Although he did suffer a setback in 1712, when the ruling Tories had Walpole tried for accepting an illegal payment as Secretary of War. Found guilty, he spent six months imprisoned in the Tower of London. However, when the Whigs regained power, Walpole quickly rose to the positions of First Lord of the Treasury and Chancellor of the Exchequer. Walpole resigned amid party infighting in 1717, splitting the Whigs in Parliament, but in 1720 returned to the government as Paymaster General. Appointed as Chancellor of the Exchequer and First Lord of the Treasury for a second time, Walpole's powers as prime minister date from this point. Walpole was quickly successful, neutralising dangerous opponents, reducing the national debt and stabilising prices and wages. His influence stemmed from his popularity with both the King and the people. Although he probably also effectively used bribery and corruption to retain power. After George I's death in 1727, Walpole was supposed to have been replaced by King George II's favourite, Spencer Compton. Walpole managed to show due sycophancy to the new King who reappoointed him as PM once more. It was at this time that 10, Downing Street was given permanently to the office by the King. In 1739 Walpole's poor performance in a war against Spain reduced confidence in his ability to carry out his duties. A disappointing general election result in 1741 made his position even more precarious. Walpole was forced to resign as prime minister in 1742, and was elevated to the House of Lords. An enquiry was launched into the distribution of secret service money under his premiership, alleging corruption but the matter was never resolved.

Images Date of Birth 26th August 1676 Parents Robert Walpole Mary Burwell Education Eton King's College Cambridge Lincoln's Inn Marital Status (1) Catherine Shorter (2) Maria Skerret MP Castle Rising King's Lynn Honours Knight of the Bath Knight of the Garter Earl of Orford Positions 1705 - 1708 Council of the Lord High Admiral 1708 - 1710 Secretary at War 1710 - 1711 Treasurer of Navy 1714 - 1715, 1720 - 1721 Paymaster of Forces 1715 - 1717, 1721 - 1742 First Lord of the Treasury and Chancellor of the Exchequer Suggested Reading Historical Perspectives: Studies in English Thought and Society - Jacobitism and the rise of Walpole Bennett, G. V. (Ed by McKendrick) British Foreign Policy in the Age of Walpole Black, J. Britain in the Age of Walpole Black, J. The Whig Ascendancy: Colloquies on Hanoverian England Cannon, J. In Defiance of Oligarchy: The Tory Party 1714 - 1760 Colley, L. Memoirs of the Life and Administration of Sir Robert Walpole Coxe, W. Walpole and the Whig Supremacy Dickinson, H. T. Liberty and Property: Political Ideology in Eighteenth Century Britain Dickinson, H. T. A Patriot Press: National Politics and the London Press in the 1740s Harris, R. Some Materials towards Memoirs of the Reign of King George II Hervey, J. The Growth of Parliamentary Parties 1689 - 1742 Hill, B.W. The History of Parliament: The House of Commons, 1690 - 1715 History of Parliament Trust Britain in the First Age of Party Jones, C. The Excise Crisis: Society and Politics in the Age of Walpole Langford, P. Sir Robert Walpole: The Making of a Statesman Plumb, J.H. Sir Robert Walpole: The King's Minister Plumb, J.H. The Growth of Political Stability in England: 1675 - 1725 Plumb, J.H. The House of Commons 1715 - 1754 Sedgwick, R.