William Pitt the Younger
William Pitt, the Younger (born 28 May 1759, died 23 January 1806) was an important politician in the late 18th and early 19th Century, who was Prime Minister from 1783-1801 and again from 1804 until his death.
Early Life
William was the second son of William Pitt (the Elder), the first earl of Chatham. Due to health problems he was educated at home by his father. He matriculated in Cambridge in 1773 and graduated M.A. in 1776. As his father died in 1778, he began practising law.
Political Career
Pitt was elected to Parliament in 1781, representing the University of Cambridge. He was an advocate of peace with the rebellious American colonies, and a friend of William Wilberforce, one of the main forces behind the abolition of slavery. In the 1782 government of William Petty, Earl of Shelburne, he became Chancellor of the Exchequer.