Robert Walpole Biography and Timeline

Birth of Robert Walpole

Birth of Robert Walpole

Role range: 1710-1711

Education

Walpole matriculates at King's College, Cambridge

Role range: 1710-1711

Election

Walpole is elected to Parliament for King's Lynn, elected every subsequent general election for the next 40 yrs

Member of Parliament

Walpole is elected to Parliament for King's Lynn, elected every subsequent general election for the next 40 yrs

Council of Admiralty

Appointed Member of Council of the Lord High Admiral

Secretary of State for War and the Colonies

Appointed Secretary of State for War, a close adviser of the Duke of Marlborough, commander of the War of the Spanish Succession

Role range: 1708-1710

Walpole Appointed Secretary at War

Walpole became Secretary at War and worked closely with the military administration supporting Marlborough.

Walpole Administers Army Supply Responsibilities

As Secretary at War Walpole handled parliamentary and administrative business associated with military expenditure.

Treasurer Navy

Appointed Treasurer of the Navy

Role range: 1710-1711

Walpole Becomes Treasurer of Navy

Walpole moved to the office of Treasurer of the Navy during a period of intense party conflict.

Tory Election Victory Removes Whig Ministry

Walpole lost ministerial influence as the Tory electoral victory displaced leading Whigs from power.

Walpole Challenges Tory War Policy

From opposition Walpole criticised aspects of the Tory government's approach to the war and public administration.

Arrest of Robert Walpole

Imprisoned by the Tories for corruption

Dismissal

Expelled from the Commons on the political charge of "venality" in the Naval Office

Impeachment

Walpole is expelled from Parliament. Impeached by the House of Commons for corruption as Secretary at War, found guilty & imprisoned

Commons Expels Walpole from Membership

The House of Commons expelled Walpole following charges arising from his conduct while Secretary at War.

Walpole Imprisoned in Tower of London

Walpole spent time imprisoned in the Tower during the parliamentary proceedings against him.

Walpole Returns to Parliamentary Opposition

Walpole reentered the Commons and remained an important Whig critic of the Tory government.

Paymaster of the Forces

Appointed Paymaster of the Forces on the accession of George I

Role range: 1714-1715

Hanoverian Succession Restores Whig Prospects

George I's accession strengthened Walpole's position among leading Whig politicians.

Walpole Appointed Paymaster of Forces

Walpole took office as Paymaster of the Forces in the new Hanoverian administration.

Chancellor of the Exchequer

Appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer

Role range: 1716-1760 – 1715-1717

Walpole Enters Treasury Leadership

Walpole became First Lord of the Treasury and Chancellor of the Exchequer within the Whig government.

Reform of Parliament

Extends the life of Parliament to 7 years

Role range: 1716-1760 – 1715-1717

Walpole Defends Septennial Act

Walpole supported legislation increasing the maximum life of Parliament to seven years.

Resignation of Robert Walpole

Resigns over the dimissal of Charles Townshend

Role range: 1716-1760 – 1715-1717

Budget

Introduces the sinking fund for reducing the national debt

Role range: 1716-1760 – 1715-1717

Walpole Proposes National Debt Sinking Fund

Walpole developed a sinking fund intended to help reduce the outstanding national debt.

Walpole Resigns During Whig Split

Walpole resigned his offices amid divisions between the king's ministers and Charles Townshend.

Walpole Opposes Government from Commons

Walpole used parliamentary debate to challenge ministers after leaving the Treasury.

South Sea Bubble

Walpole helps design measures to restore confidence after the South Sea Bubble collapses.

Role range: 1715-1721

South Sea Bubble

The Bubble bursts & Walpole protects his own investments & those of the Royal Familly

Paymaster of the Forces

Appointed Paymaster of the Forces

Role range: 1720-1721

Scandal

Restores public confidence after collapse of the South Sea Company

Role range: 1720-1721

Walpole Advises on South Sea Crisis

The collapse of South Sea Company speculation brought Walpole's knowledge of public credit back into demand.

1st Prime Minister

Britains 1st Prime Minister

Role range: 1716-1760 – 1721-1742

Constitution of Great Britain

Britains 1st Prime Minister

Role range: 1716-1760 – 1721-1742

Prime Minister of Great Britain

Appointed Prime Minister of Great Britain, 1st term

Role range: 1716-1760 – 1721-1742

Public Credit Stabilisation

Walpole's government restructures liabilities and restores confidence in British public credit.

Role range: 1721-1742

First Lord of the Treasury

Appointed First Lord of the Treasury

Role range: 1716-1760 – 1721-1742