British statesmen of the 18th century

Oh gosh, the 18th century was a time of political drama, celebrity, notoriety, infamy, and serious accomplishment, all mixed together. I find it, politically speaking, the most interesting period of history.

Of course both Pitt the Elder and Pitt the Younger overshadow some parts of the eighteenth century and are certainly giants when we consider narratives of war and conflict. But there are some other giants, too.

Robert Walpole is generally considered the 'first' prime minister. He would certainly be my choice on any poll. As a whig politician, his career began in 1701, having served both George I and George II, in 1721 he became First Lord of the Treasury after being seen as the saviour who would rescue Britain from the South Sea Bubble. But it was not until 1730, with the retirement of Lord Townshend, when he became undisputed leader of the Whigs and managed British politicals almost unchallenged until 1742, when the War of Jenkins' Ear (or War of Austrian Succession, as it would become) was not being executed as successfully as hoped. Walpole's biggest achievement was to keep Great Britain at peace for almost 2 decades, allowing her to become far more prosperous and commercial, after the destructive (though overwhelmingly successful) War of Spanish Succession.

So yes, definitely Walpole for my choice.

Others would be :

Charles Townshend
Duke of Newcastle
Henry Pelham

Thanks,

Pitt the younger was a very good spokesman and statesman for Britain,definately gets my vote.

Burke, but only because his writings were prophetic.

My mistake. Wrong quote.
I meant to write Pitt the Younger.

Pit the Elder. He was a great wartime leader in the war that created Canada. Also, key screw-ups in the years following the war under Prime Ministers like Grenville lead to the secession of the colonies. Pitt would have handled the situation differently and the American Revolution probably would never have happened if he were in control.

i think charles james fox is interesting. his career was almost always in the political opposition, and had a vendetta against george iii. even going as far as to dress like george washington in parliament.
pitt the elder for pretty much inventing britain's way of fighting wars, which was so successful in 1759. also william wilberforce for his campaign against slavery, and the slave trade

yorkshirerepublic said:

who do you think was the best british statesmen of of the 18th century? i only really know the obvious ones like burke and pitt, what are some others?

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BY JOVE WHERE IS WALPOLE!!! How can you not include him in the list ... So yes, Walpole, shame that I have to click "other" to name him.