Robert Walpole (1715-1742) - Prime Minister - Parliament

Walpole was born in Houghton in 1676 and educated at Eton and Cambridge with the intention of going into the Church, but decided to pursue a career in politics instead. Walpole was a Whig and elected to the House of Common in 1701, later he was appointed as the Secretary of War in 1708 and Treasurer of the Navy in 1710.

He was the first Prime Minister in Britain’s History and was given 10 Downing Street as his official residence, which became home to every prime minister since. Walpole’s policies were principally based upon wealth, he wanted the country to create and maintain its wealth and he did so by lifting taxes on foreign goods.

Walpole himself did all that he could to steer the country away from War as this was the ultimate drain in a country’s resources. In 1739 Britain became embroiled in a war with Spain, a war which King George II and the country agreed to but Walpole was not in favour of. His lack of dynamic leadership, the Tory opposition accused him of not supporting the armed forces and gradually he lost the support of the House of Commons – resigning in February 1742.

Walpole, in a speech:
“Every man has his price”.

Walpole, I, Walpoliana. No. CXLI:
“Oh, do not read history, for that I know must be false”.

Walpole:
“The gratitude of most men is but a secret desire of receiving greater benefits”.