William Pitt the Elder Biography and Timeline

Birth of William Pitt

Birth of William Pitt

Education

Enters as a gentleman commoner at Trinity College, Oxford

Education

A violent attack of gout compels Pitt to leave Oxford University without finishing his degree

Education

From 1728 to 1730 Pitt attends Utrecht University in the Dutch Republic

Member of Parliament

Pitt's brother Thomas is Returned at the general election of 1734 for two separate seats, Okehampton and Old Sarum, and passes Old Sarum to William

Member of Parliament

Pitt the Elder is 1st elected MP

Role range: 1716-1760

Patriots, The

Pitt soon joins a faction of discontented Whigs known as the Patriots who form part of the opposition

Maiden Speech

Pitt delivers his maiden speech in the Commons on the congratulatory address to George II on the marriage of his son Frederick, Prince of Wales. Pitt pays his compliments

Election

Pitt expects a new Government to be formed by Pulteney and dominated by Tories and Patriot Whigs in which he could expect a junior position

Election

Pitt's hopes for a place in the Government are thwarted and he remains in opposition. He is unable to make any gain from the downfall of Walpole, to which he had contributed

Election

Walpole is forced to resign after poor election results and the disaster at Cartagena

Inquiry

Pitt speaks in favour of the motion for an inquiry into the last ten years of Walpole's administration

Vice Treasurer of Ireland

Appointed Vice Treasurer of Ireland

Role range: 1716-1760

Privy Council

Appointed Privy Councilor

Paymaster General

Appointed Paymaster General

Role range: 1746-1755

Election

Returned by Aldborough

Role range: 1746-1755

Election

The Government wins a landslide election victory

Role range: 1746-1755

Dismissal

Pitt is dismissed from office as Paymaster, having spoken during a debate against the new system of continental subsidies proposed by the Government of which he was a member

Role range: 1746-1755

Dismissal

Dismissed from office for opposing Newcastles foreign policy

Role range: 1746-1755

Dismissal

Pitt is dismissed from office on account of his opposition to the continental policy and the circumstances surrounding the court-martial and execution of Admiral John Byng

Role range: 1756-1757

Leader of House of Commons

Appointed Leader of the House of Commons

Role range: 1756-1757

Secretary of State for Southern Department

Appointed Secretary of State for the Southern Department

Role range: 1756-1757

Secretary of State

Appointed Secretary of State

Role range: 1716-1760 – 1756-1757

Dismissal

Dismissed from office

Battle of Plassey

Clive defeats Siraj ud-Daulah, (the last independent Nawab of Bengal) at Plassey, securing India

Role range: 1756-1763

Rule of India

Clive defeats Siraj ud-Daulah, (the last independent Nawab of Bengal) at Plassey, securing India

Role range: 1756-1763

Capture of Saint-Louis

British forces capture the ill-defended fort of Saint-Louis in Senegal

Role range: 1756-1763

Invasion of West Africa

British forces capture the ill-defended fort of Saint-Louis in Senegal

Role range: 1756-1763

Capture of Fort Duquesne

The Forbes Expedition captures Fort Duquesne and founds Pittsburgh giving the British control of the Ohio Country, the principal cause of the war

Role range: 1756-1763

Capture of Gambia

Pitt sends out further expeditions to capture Goree and Gambia

Role range: 1756-1763

Capture of Goree

Pitt sends out further expeditions to capture Goree and Gambia

Role range: 1756-1763

Capture of Louisbourg

A second British attempt to capture Louisbourg succeeds

Role range: 1756-1763

Forbes Expedition

The Forbes Expedition captures Fort Duquesne and founds Pittsburgh giving the British control of the Ohio Country, the principal cause of the war

Role range: 1756-1763

Invasion of West Africa

Pitt had been lobbied by an American merchant Thomas Cumming to launch an expedition against the French trading settlements in West Africa

Role range: 1756-1763

Invasion of West Africa

Pitt sends out further expeditions to capture Goree and Gambia

Role range: 1756-1763

Marlborough Expedition

Pitt orders the dispatch of the first British troops to the European continent under the Duke of Marlborough, who joins Brunswick's army

Role range: 1756-1763

Rule of Ohio Country

The Forbes Expedition captures Fort Duquesne and founds Pittsburgh giving the British control of the Ohio Country, the principal cause of the war

Role range: 1756-1763

Capture of Guadeloupe

The British capture Guadeloupe

Role range: 1756-1763

Capture of Quebec

The British under General Wolfe capture Quebec

Role range: 1756-1763

Siege of Madras

A French attempt to capture Madras is repulsed

Role range: 1756-1763