On This Day

01 July 1782

Death of Charles Watson Wentworth, 2nd Marquess of Rockingham, Whig Prime Minister 1765-66 & 1782

Rockingham was arguably the first leader of a political party, when in 1762 a group of young Whigs formed an opposition club in reaction to the actions of King George III and his favourite the Earl of Bute. In 1765 Rockingham employed Edmund Burke as his secretary. It proved an inspired choice and Burke proved an excellent propagandist for the Rockingham Whigs. Rockingham’s two periods as Prime Minister were short but eventful. He worked hard to avoid conflict with America, including repeal of the unpopular Stamp Act. During his second ministry Rockingham attempted to improve Anglo-Irish relations with the repeal of the Irish Declaratory Act and Poyning’s Law, giving the Irish Parliament more freedom than it had had for over 300 years.