Other formats

    TEI XML file   ePub eBook file  

Connect

    mail icontwitter iconBlogspot iconrss icon

The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 1, Issue 9 (February 25, 1927)

William Pitt, The Younger

William Pitt, The Younger.

William Pitt the Younger, was the second son of William Pitt, Earl of Chatham, and was born at Hoyes on 28th May, 1759. He was a delicate child and his early education was directed at home by his father whose ambition it was that his son should become a great political orator. When thirteen years of age he composed a tragedy, and at fourteen was sent to Pembroke Hall, Cambridge. There he graduated and studied law, being called to the Bar in 1780. After a few months practice of law he sought Parliamentary honours and was elected for the borough of Appleby in January, 1781. When Burke heard his first speech he said “It is not a chip of the old block, it is the old block itself.” He was made Chancellor of the Exchequer at the early age of twenty-three and Prime Minister at twenty-four—the youngest Prime Minister the House of Commons has ever known. It was the Younger Pitt's task to govern England during the dangerous period of the French Revolution, a task he carried out with consummate ability. He worked to secure foreign alliances for England so that she should not stand alone in times of peril. He carried a Bill to improve the Government of India, and in 1800 succeeded in bringing about the union of the English and the Irish Parliaments. He also powerfully supported the abolition of slavery. He died on 23rd January, 1806.

William Pitt, The Younger.

William Pitt, The Younger.

page 19
Sir Robert Peel

Sir Robert Peel

Sir Robert Peel was born at Chamber Hall, on 5th February, 1788. He was educated at Harrow, the poet Byron being one of his schoolfellows. He later went on to Oxford where he took a double first in classics and mathematics. Peel early turned his attention to politics, and at the age of twenty-one was elected to the House of Commons as member for Cashel. At twenty-three he was appointed Under Secretary of State for the Colonies which appointment was followed soon afterwards by that of Chief Secretary for Ireland. He was made Home Secretary in 1822, and after many vicissitudes became Prime Minister in 1841. He was a brilliant speaker and exercised immense influence in the House of Commons and throughout Europe. The repeal of the Corn Laws and the establishment of Free Trade as the commercial policy of England were his greatest achievements. Sir Robert Peel also established the metropolitan police, and was responsible for the passing of a measure which improved the criminal laws of his country. Lord Rosebery described him as “one of the princes of mankind.” Sir Robert Peel died as a result of an accident on 2nd July, 1850.