2017-01-19 Thu

On 19th January 1783 William Pitt, son of Pitt the Elder, became the youngest Prime Minister of England. He was just 24 years old.

William Pitt was born at Hayes, Kent on 28th May 1759. Because of his poor health and he was educated at home. When William was fourteen he was sent to Pembroke Hall, Cambridge where he studied Latin and Greek, received his M.A. in 1776.

The younger Pitt's prime ministerial tenure, which came during the reign of George III, was dominated by major events in Europe, including the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars. He is best known for leading Britain in the great wars against France and Napoleon. Pitt was an outstanding administrator who worked for efficiency and reform.

He was honoured by Royal Post in 2014 on a 97 pence stamp which are part of a set of eight stamps commemorating the legendary Prime Ministers in the History of England.