Charles Montagu, 1st Earl of Halifax

The Right Honourable The Earl of Halifax KG PC FRS
Portrait by Michael Dahl
Chief Minister of Great Britain First Lord of the Treasury
In office 13 October 1714 – 19 May 1715
Monarch	George I
Preceded by	The Duke of Shrewsbury as Lord High Treasurer
Succeeded by	The Earl of Carlisle
In office 1 May 1697 – 15 November 1699
Monarch	William III
Preceded by	The Earl of Godolphin
Succeeded by	The Earl of Tankerville
10th President of the Royal Society
In office 1695–1698
Preceded by	Sir Robert Southwell
Succeeded by	John Somers
Chancellor of the Exchequer
In office 3 May 1694 – 15 November 1699
Monarchs	William III and Mary II
Preceded by	Richard Hampden
Succeeded by	John Smith
Commissioner of the Treasury
In office 21 March 1692 – 3 May 1694
Monarchs	William III and Mary II
Preceded by	Thomas Pelham
Succeeded by	John Smith and William Trumbull
Personal details
Born	16 April 1661 Horton, Northamptonshire Kingdom of England
Died	19 May 1715(1715-05-19) (aged 54)
Spouse(s)	The Dowager Countess of Manchester, née Anne Yelverton
Relations	Henry Montagu, 1st Earl of Manchester, paternal grandfather
Parent	George Montagu (father)
Profession	Politician, poet

Charles Montagu, 1st Earl of Halifax, KG, PC, FRS (16 April 1661 – 19 May 1715) was an English statesman and poet. He was the grandson of the 1st Earl of Manchester and was eventually ennobled himself, first as Baron Halifax in 1700 and later as Earl of Halifax in 1714. As one of the four members of the so-called Whig Junto, Montagu played a major role in English politics under the reigns of King William III and Queen Anne. He served as Chancellor of the Exchequer from 1694 to 1699 and as First Lord of the Treasury from 1714 until his death the following year. He was also president of the Royal Society and a patron of the scientist Isaac Newton.