1st Edition

The Life of William Pitt, Volume 1 Earl of Chatham

By Basil Williams Copyright 1966

    This impressive study of the life of William Pitt, Earl of Chatham, was first published in 1913 when it achieved instant recognition as a brilliant appraisal of Pitt's career. It is a book with many outstanding merits to commend it to students of eighteenth century English history.

    Based on thorough and extensive researches, it traces Pitt's career from his election as a Member of Parliament for Old Sarum in 1735 and gives a well balanced account of his part in home and foriegn politics and colonial affairs during the next 30 years. The book contains many good maps and an excellent index, and a very valuable appendix gives a list of all Pitt's extant speeches, with references to where reports of them may be found.

    These two substantial volumes are invaluable as a portrait of one of the most outstanding historical figures of the eighteenth century.

    The crowning mercies - annus mirabilis, 1759, the conquest of Canada and India, 1760; causes of Pitt's decline - domestic policy, Ireland, Pitt and the finance of his war; the new reign, 1760-1761; Pitt's peace negotiations - early attempts at peace, 1758-1760, the negotiations of 1761; Pitt's downfall, 1761; Pitt and the peace of Paris, 1762-1763; Pitt unconnected, 1763-1765; Pitt and the taxation of America, 1765-1766; Chatham's ministry, 1766-1768 - the attempt at union, Chatham's failure, Charles Townshend's triumph, the tragic close; the great commoner in the Lords, 1769-1771; autumn days, 1772-1775 - the philosopher in the village, the peacemaker; the last stage, 1775-1778; appendices.

    Biography

    Basil Williams