Eighteenth-Century British Premiers: Walpole to the Younger Pitt

Following his earlier surveys of 19th and 20th Century British Prime Ministers, Dick Leonard turns his attention to their 18th Century predecessors, including such major figures as Robert Walpole, the Elder Pitt (Lord Chatham), Lord North and the Younger Pitt. In a series of 14 biographical essays, he recounts the principal events of their political careers, the circumstances which brought them to the top of 'the greasy pole', assesses their performance as Prime Ministers, and asks what lasting influence they have had. He also recounts fascinating and often little-known facts from both their private and public lives, for example, on which Prime Minister was the nursery rhyme Who killed Cock Robin based? Which two brothers succeeded each other in the top office? Who said: 'I know that I can save this country and that nobody else can'? Who was the first Tory Prime Minister? And who was suspected of being the illegitimate half-brother of George III?