William Pitt the Younger

William Pitt the Younger was born to William Pitt the Elder and Hester Grenville in Hayes, Kent, England.

At the age of nine, Pitt was admitted to Pembroke College, Cambridge, where he studied under the tutelage of his father's friend, Richard Watson.

At the age of 17, Pitt was elected as a Member of Parliament for the pocket borough of Appleby, beginning his political career.

Pitt delivers his first major speech in the House of Commons, opposing the American War of Independence and calling for a negotiated peace.

At the age of 23, Pitt becomes the youngest Chancellor of the Exchequer in British history, a position he holds until 1783.

Pitt, at 24, becomes the youngest Prime Minister of Great Britain, forming a government that lasts until 1801.

Pitt's government wins a general election, solidifying his position as Prime Minister and allowing him to implement his policies.

Pitt introduces a bill to grant more rights to Catholics, which is defeated in the House of Lords, causing a split with his political ally, King George III.

Pitt declares war on revolutionary France, marking the beginning of the French Revolutionary Wars, which will dominate British foreign policy for the next two decades.

In response to financial pressures from the war, Pitt suspends the Bank of England's note payments, leading to the issuance of paper money.

Pitt resigns as Prime Minister over the issue of Catholic emancipation, which he is unable to secure from King George III, ending his first term in office.

Pitt returns to the role of Prime Minister, forming a new government to continue the war against Napoleon Bonaparte's France.

Pitt issues the Orders in Council, a series of decrees designed to restrict neutral trade with France and its allies, intensifying the economic warfare.

William Pitt the Younger dies of an illness, likely exacerbated by his heavy workload and stress, in his home in London, at the age of 46.