Resignation of Robert Walpole
Resigns as Prime Minister of Great Britain
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1742 in Great Britain
Explore 26 historical events and records for Great Britain in 1742.
Historical records for Great Britain in 1742
Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 26 of 26 unique records.
26Unique records
1 of 1Page
22Named events on this page
15Named people on this page
3Places on this page
January
February
Constitution of Great Britain
Appointed Prime MInister of Great Britain, a "nominal" position, by George II
Prime Minister of Great Britain
The administration is dominated by John Carteret & Walpole is relied upon for advice. Succeeds Walpole as First Lord of the Treasury and titular head of the Carteret Ministry, though the Government was actually dominated by Lord Carteret. Appointed Prime MInister of Great Britain, a "nominal" position, by George II
Exile of George II
The exile of the Prince of Wales ends after 4 years of ostracism
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
July
Battle of Bloody Swamp
The Spanish are defeated for the control of Georgia. Redeems reputation from defeat at St. Augustine, Florida, 2 yrs earlier
Battle of Bloody Swamp
The Spanish leave the Island of St Simons
November
Captain
Attains the rank of post-captain, having been appointed to the Plymouth
Other events (month unknown)
12th Foot
Appointed Member of 12th Foot
Alliance Great Britain and France
Attempts to create an anti-French alliance to stop French expansion east of the Rhine
Birth of Henry Melville Dundas
Birth of Henry Melville Dundas
Bradley Takes Charge Of Greenwich Observatory
James Bradley became Astronomer Royal after Halley's death and continued precise positional measurements. The programme linked scientific data with public time standards.
Death of Edmond Halley at Greenwich
Halley died at Greenwich after a long career that transformed astronomy, navigation and scientific publishing.
Essays Moral and Political Second Volume
Hume published a second volume of Essays Moral and Political, extending his discussions of political and cultural life.
Inquiry
Pitt speaks in favour of the motion for an inquiry into the last ten years of Walpole's administration
James Bradley Takes Greenwich Directorship
James Bradley succeeded Halley as Astronomer Royal and continued high precision stellar observing.
Major General
Appointed Major General
New Dunciad Fourth Book Published
Pope published The New Dunciad adding a fourth book to his satire.
New Dunciad Published
Pope published The New Dunciad, a fourth book extending his epic satire of cultural decline.
Peerage
Created Earl of Orford, 1st
Privy Council
Appointed Privy Councillor
Resignation of Robert Walpole
Defeated in Parliament, as the King's servant in Parliament is forced to resign
Solicitor General
Appointed Solicitor General
Walpole Raised to Earldom of Orford
George II created Walpole Earl of Orford after the collapse of his long ministry.
How these records were prepared
Generated from the World History Database historical_events table. Identical display records are collapsed; descriptions otherwise retain the stored text. Coverage and source quality vary. Check primary and specialist sources before citing individual historical claims.