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The Marquess of Lansdowne | |
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![]() Portrait by Jean-Laurent Mosnier, 1791 | |
Prime Minister of Great Britain | |
In office 4 July 1782 – 26 March 1783 | |
Monarch | George III |
Preceded by | The Marquess of Rockingham |
Succeeded by | The Duke of Portland |
Leader of the House of Lords | |
In office 4 July 1782 – 2 April 1783 | |
Prime Minister | Himself |
Preceded by | The Marquess of Rockingham |
Succeeded by | The Duke of Portland |
Home Secretary | |
In office 27 March 1782 – 10 July 1782 | |
Prime Minister |
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Preceded by | The Earl of Hillsborough (Southern Secretary) |
Succeeded by | Thomas Townshend |
Secretary of State for the Southern Department | |
In office 30 July 1766 – 20 October 1768 | |
Prime Minister | |
Preceded by | The Duke of Richmond |
Succeeded by | The Viscount Weymouth |
Personal details | |
Born | Dublin, Ireland | 2 May 1737
Died | 7 May 1805 Westminster, England | (aged 68)
Resting place | All Saints Churchyard, High Wycombe, England |
Political party | Whig |
Spouses | |
Children | 3 |
Parent |
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Alma mater | Christ Church, Oxford |
Signature | ![]() |
Military service | |
Allegiance | Great Britain |
Branch/service | British Army |
Rank | General |
Battles/wars | Seven Years' War |
William Petty Fitzmaurice, 1st Marquess of Lansdowne, KG, PC (2 May 1737 – 7 May 1805; known as the Earl of Shelburne between 1761 and 1784, by which title he is generally known to history), was an Anglo-Irish Whig statesman who was the first home secretary in 1782 and then prime minister in 1782–83 during the final months of the American War of Independence. He succeeded in securing peace with America and this feat remains his most notable legacy.[1]
Lord Shelburne was born in Dublin and spent his formative years in Ireland. After attending Oxford University, he served in the British Army during the Seven Years' War. As a reward for his conduct at the Battle of Kloster Kampen, Shelburne was appointed an aide-de-camp to George III. He became involved in politics, becoming a member of parliament in 1760. After his father's death in 1761, he inherited his title and entered the House of Lords.
In 1766, Shelburne was appointed as Southern Secretary, a position which he held for two years. He departed office during the Corsican Crisis and joined the Opposition. Following the fall of the North government, Shelburne joined its replacement under Lord Rockingham. Shelburne was made Prime Minister in 1782 following Rockingham's death, with the American War still being fought.
He lost his authority and influence after being driven out of office at the age of 45 in 1783. Shelburne lamented that his career had been a failure, despite the many high offices he held over 17 years, and his undoubted abilities as a debater. He blamed his poor education—although it was as good as that of most peers—and said the real problem was that "it has been my fate through life to fall in with clever but unpopular connections".