Grenvillite
Encyclopedia
The Grenvillites or Grenvilles were a name given to several British
political factions of the 18th and early-19th centuries, all associated with the important Grenville
family of Buckinghamshire
.
, which dominated local politics in Buckinghamshire
, was prominent in mid-18th century politics as close allies of Temple's brother-in-law, William Pitt the Elder. However, in the early-1760s, a split occurred within the family as a result of Pitt's dismissal from the government in October 1761. While Temple quit the government in protest, his younger brother, George Grenville
, remained in the government, now dominated by King George III's
favorite, Lord Bute
, and served as Leader of the House of Commons
. The followers of the younger Grenville became known as Grenvillites, or Grenville Whigs.
, but his own following was not sufficient to form a government. Grenville was forced to rely largely on the Bedford Whigs
, supporters of the Duke of Bedford
, to staff his ministry. After Grenville himself was ousted from power in 1765 as a result of conflicts with the King, Grenville moved into opposition, and for a time from 1766 to 1767, was the leader of one of three separate opposition factions (the other two were led by the Duke of Bedford and Lord Rockingham
). After Pitt (by now Earl of Chatham) resigned from his nominal premiership in 1768, a partial reconciliation between Grenville and Temple followed, but the Grenvillites remained a distinct political faction. After Grenville's own death in 1770, the Earl of Suffolk
took over the official leadership of Grenville's faction, and negotiated Grenvillite entrance into the North
ministry in early 1771, but many of Grenville's former supporters refused to follow him, remaining in opposition with Chatham and Temple.
(from 1784 the Marquess of Buckingham), and William Wyndham Grenville became the principle figures in the Grenville family interest. Temple played a key role in bringing down the Fox
-North
coalition in December 1783, and in bringing his cousin William Pitt the Younger
to power as prime minister, but was himself snubbed for major office. Nevertheless, he and his supporters backed the new ministry, and William Grenville soon became one of Pitt's closest advisors, serving for ten years (1791–1801) as Foreign Secretary during the difficult period of the French Revolutionary Wars
.
government from 1801 to 1804, a number of former supporters of the Pitt government declared their dissatisfaction with the new ministry, and came to consider Grenville as their leader, calling themselves "Grenvilles" or "Grenvillites." Although Grenville himself initially kept his distance from his supposed followers, by 1803 he had acknowledged himself as their leader. Other than dependents of Lord Buckingham, the group largely consisted of former Portland Whigs who had joined the Pitt government in 1794 and opposed the Addington government's policy of peace with France. Notable members of the group included Lord Spencer
, Lord Fitzwilliam, William Windham
, and Buckingham and Grenville's older brother Thomas Grenville
. This group, which was also known as the "New Opposition" gradually made a tentative alliance with Fox's
"Old Opposition," although the two disagreed wholly on the issue of war with France - the Grenvillites wished to prosecute it more aggressively, while Fox desired peace through negotiation.
When Addington's government fell in 1804, Grenville hoped to form a coalition government which included supporters of Pitt, Fox, and himself, but was stymied by the King's refusal to countenance a government which included Fox. Thus, Grenville, unwilling to go into government without his new ally Fox, remained in opposition when Pitt formed his second government in May of that year.
When Pitt died two years later, however, the king had little choice but to appoint a government including both "New" and "Old" Opposition, and Grenville was made prime minister in the Ministry of All the Talents
. Although the coalition partners agreed about little besides the abolition of the slave trade, it was really George III's opposition to the ministry which destroyed it in early 1807. Thereafter, Grenville acted as nominal Leader of the Opposition, although Lord Grey
, leader of the Foxites, was essentially coequal with him.
- those former Portland Whigs who remained active in politics had by now largely returned to their former Whig allegiances. In 1822, the Prime Minister Lord Liverpool
bought the group's support for the government by creating Buckingham as Duke of Buckingham and Chandos and bringing in several of his supporters, notably Charles Williams Wynn, who became President of the Board of Control
, into the government. In the years that followed, the Grenvillites disappeared as a distinct political faction.
Kingdom of Great Britain
The former Kingdom of Great Britain, sometimes described as the 'United Kingdom of Great Britain', That the Two Kingdoms of Scotland and England, shall upon the 1st May next ensuing the date hereof, and forever after, be United into One Kingdom by the Name of GREAT BRITAIN. was a sovereign...
political factions of the 18th and early-19th centuries, all associated with the important Grenville
Grenville
-People:* Bevil Grenville , English soldier* George Grenville , British politician who served as Prime Minister between 1763-1765* George Nugent-Grenville, 2nd Baron Nugent , British politician...
family of Buckinghamshire
Buckinghamshire
Buckinghamshire is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan home county in South East England. The county town is Aylesbury, the largest town in the ceremonial county is Milton Keynes and largest town in the non-metropolitan county is High Wycombe....
.
Overview
The Grenville family interest, led by Richard Grenville-Temple, 2nd Earl TempleRichard Grenville-Temple, 2nd Earl Temple
Richard Grenville-Temple, 2nd Earl Temple KG, PC was a British politician. He is best known for his association with his brother-in-law William Pitt who he served with in government during Britain's participation in the Seven Years War between 1756 and 1761...
, which dominated local politics in Buckinghamshire
Buckinghamshire
Buckinghamshire is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan home county in South East England. The county town is Aylesbury, the largest town in the ceremonial county is Milton Keynes and largest town in the non-metropolitan county is High Wycombe....
, was prominent in mid-18th century politics as close allies of Temple's brother-in-law, William Pitt the Elder. However, in the early-1760s, a split occurred within the family as a result of Pitt's dismissal from the government in October 1761. While Temple quit the government in protest, his younger brother, George Grenville
George Grenville
George Grenville was a British Whig statesman who rose to the position of Prime Minister of Great Britain. Grenville was born into an influential political family and first entered Parliament in 1741 as an MP for Buckingham...
, remained in the government, now dominated by King George III's
George III of the United Kingdom
George III was King of Great Britain and King of Ireland from 25 October 1760 until the union of these two countries on 1 January 1801, after which he was King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland until his death...
favorite, Lord Bute
John Stuart, 3rd Earl of Bute
John Stuart, 3rd Earl of Bute KG, PC , styled Lord Mount Stuart before 1723, was a Scottish nobleman who served as Prime Minister of Great Britain under George III, and was arguably the last important favourite in British politics...
, and served as Leader of the House of Commons
Leader of the House of Commons
The Leader of the House of Commons is a member of the Cabinet of the United Kingdom who is responsible for arranging government business in the House of Commons...
. The followers of the younger Grenville became known as Grenvillites, or Grenville Whigs.
George Grenville
George Grenville fully came into his own as a politician in 1763, when he was made prime ministerPrime minister
A prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. In many systems, the prime minister selects and may dismiss other members of the cabinet, and allocates posts to members within the government. In most systems, the prime...
, but his own following was not sufficient to form a government. Grenville was forced to rely largely on the Bedford Whigs
Bedfordite
The Bedfordites were an 18th century British political faction, led by John Russell, 4th Duke of Bedford. Other than Bedford himself, notable members included John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich; Granville Leveson-Gower, 2nd Earl Gower; Richard Rigby, who served as principal Commons manager for the...
, supporters of the Duke of Bedford
John Russell, 4th Duke of Bedford
John Russell, 4th Duke of Bedford KG, PC, FRS was an 18th century British statesman. He was the fourth son of Wriothesley Russell, 2nd Duke of Bedford, by his wife, Elizabeth, daughter and heiress of John Howland of Streatham, Surrey...
, to staff his ministry. After Grenville himself was ousted from power in 1765 as a result of conflicts with the King, Grenville moved into opposition, and for a time from 1766 to 1767, was the leader of one of three separate opposition factions (the other two were led by the Duke of Bedford and Lord Rockingham
Charles Watson-Wentworth, 2nd Marquess of Rockingham
Charles Watson-Wentworth, 2nd Marquess of Rockingham, KG, PC , styled The Hon. Charles Watson-Wentworth before 1733, Viscount Higham between 1733 and 1746, Earl of Malton between 1746 and 1750 and The Earl Malton in 1750, was a British Whig statesman, most notable for his two terms as Prime...
). After Pitt (by now Earl of Chatham) resigned from his nominal premiership in 1768, a partial reconciliation between Grenville and Temple followed, but the Grenvillites remained a distinct political faction. After Grenville's own death in 1770, the Earl of Suffolk
Henry Howard, 12th Earl of Suffolk
Henry Howard, 12th Earl of Suffolk, 5th Earl of Berkshire, KG, PC was a British politician, styled Viscount Andover from 1756 to 1757....
took over the official leadership of Grenville's faction, and negotiated Grenvillite entrance into the North
Frederick North, Lord North
Frederick North, 2nd Earl of Guilford, KG, PC , more often known by his courtesy title, Lord North, which he used from 1752 until 1790, was Prime Minister of Great Britain from 1770 to 1782. He led Great Britain through most of the American War of Independence...
ministry in early 1771, but many of Grenville's former supporters refused to follow him, remaining in opposition with Chatham and Temple.
William Pitt
After Lord Temple's death in 1779, George Grenville's sons, George Nugent-Temple-Grenville, 3rd Earl TempleGeorge Nugent-Temple-Grenville, 1st Marquess of Buckingham
George Nugent-Temple-Grenville, 1st Marquess of Buckingham, KG, PC was a British statesman. He was the second son of George Grenville and a brother of the 1st Baron Grenville.-Career:...
(from 1784 the Marquess of Buckingham), and William Wyndham Grenville became the principle figures in the Grenville family interest. Temple played a key role in bringing down the Fox
Charles James Fox
Charles James Fox PC , styled The Honourable from 1762, was a prominent British Whig statesman whose parliamentary career spanned thirty-eight years of the late 18th and early 19th centuries and who was particularly noted for being the arch-rival of William Pitt the Younger...
-North
Frederick North, Lord North
Frederick North, 2nd Earl of Guilford, KG, PC , more often known by his courtesy title, Lord North, which he used from 1752 until 1790, was Prime Minister of Great Britain from 1770 to 1782. He led Great Britain through most of the American War of Independence...
coalition in December 1783, and in bringing his cousin William Pitt the Younger
William Pitt the Younger
William Pitt the Younger was a British politician of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. He became the youngest Prime Minister in 1783 at the age of 24 . He left office in 1801, but was Prime Minister again from 1804 until his death in 1806...
to power as prime minister, but was himself snubbed for major office. Nevertheless, he and his supporters backed the new ministry, and William Grenville soon became one of Pitt's closest advisors, serving for ten years (1791–1801) as Foreign Secretary during the difficult period of the French Revolutionary Wars
French Revolutionary Wars
The French Revolutionary Wars were a series of major conflicts, from 1792 until 1802, fought between the French Revolutionary government and several European states...
.
Lord Grenville
The resignation of Pitt's government in 1801 brought about a separation between Pitt and his cousin, by now Lord Grenville, which was encouraged by Buckingham and his followers, who had always resented Pitt for preventing him from receiving major office. In the period of the AddingtonHenry Addington, 1st Viscount Sidmouth
Henry Addington, 1st Viscount Sidmouth, PC was a British statesman, and Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1801 to 1804....
government from 1801 to 1804, a number of former supporters of the Pitt government declared their dissatisfaction with the new ministry, and came to consider Grenville as their leader, calling themselves "Grenvilles" or "Grenvillites." Although Grenville himself initially kept his distance from his supposed followers, by 1803 he had acknowledged himself as their leader. Other than dependents of Lord Buckingham, the group largely consisted of former Portland Whigs who had joined the Pitt government in 1794 and opposed the Addington government's policy of peace with France. Notable members of the group included Lord Spencer
George Spencer, 2nd Earl Spencer
George John Spencer, 2nd Earl Spencer KG PC FRS FSA , styled Viscount Althorp from 1765 to 1783, was a British Whig politician...
, Lord Fitzwilliam, William Windham
William Windham
William Windham PC, PC was a British Whig statesman.-Early life:Windham was a member of an ancient Norfolk family and a great-great-grandson of Sir John Wyndham. He was the son of William Windham, Sr. of Felbrigg Hall and his second wife, Sarah Lukin...
, and Buckingham and Grenville's older brother Thomas Grenville
Thomas Grenville
Thomas Grenville PC was a British politician and bibliophile.-Background and education:Grenville was the second son of Prime Minister George Grenville and Elizabeth, daughter of Sir William Wyndham, 3rd Baronet...
. This group, which was also known as the "New Opposition" gradually made a tentative alliance with Fox's
Charles James Fox
Charles James Fox PC , styled The Honourable from 1762, was a prominent British Whig statesman whose parliamentary career spanned thirty-eight years of the late 18th and early 19th centuries and who was particularly noted for being the arch-rival of William Pitt the Younger...
"Old Opposition," although the two disagreed wholly on the issue of war with France - the Grenvillites wished to prosecute it more aggressively, while Fox desired peace through negotiation.
When Addington's government fell in 1804, Grenville hoped to form a coalition government which included supporters of Pitt, Fox, and himself, but was stymied by the King's refusal to countenance a government which included Fox. Thus, Grenville, unwilling to go into government without his new ally Fox, remained in opposition when Pitt formed his second government in May of that year.
When Pitt died two years later, however, the king had little choice but to appoint a government including both "New" and "Old" Opposition, and Grenville was made prime minister in the Ministry of All the Talents
Ministry of All the Talents
The Ministry of All the Talents was a national unity government formed by William Wyndham Grenville, 1st Baron Grenville on his appointment as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom on 11 February 1806 after the death of William Pitt the Younger...
. Although the coalition partners agreed about little besides the abolition of the slave trade, it was really George III's opposition to the ministry which destroyed it in early 1807. Thereafter, Grenville acted as nominal Leader of the Opposition, although Lord Grey
Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey
Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey, KG, PC , known as Viscount Howick between 1806 and 1807, was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 22 November 1830 to 16 July 1834. A member of the Whig Party, he backed significant reform of the British government and was among the...
, leader of the Foxites, was essentially coequal with him.
Withdrawal from politics
After Buckingham's death in 1813 and Grenville's withdrawal from politics in 1817, the Grenvillites remained a distinct political grouping in opposition, although they were by now little more than a pawn of the ambitions of Buckingham's son, the 2nd Marquess of BuckinghamRichard Temple-Nugent-Brydges-Chandos-Grenville, 1st Duke of Buckingham and Chandos
Richard Temple-Nugent-Brydges-Chandos-Grenville, 1st Duke of Buckingham and Chandos KG, PC , styled Earl Temple from 1784 to 1813 and known as The Marquess of Buckingham from 1813 to 1822, was a British landowner and politician.-Background:Born Richard Temple-Nugent-Grenville, he was the eldest son...
- those former Portland Whigs who remained active in politics had by now largely returned to their former Whig allegiances. In 1822, the Prime Minister Lord Liverpool
Robert Jenkinson, 2nd Earl of Liverpool
Robert Banks Jenkinson, 2nd Earl of Liverpool KG PC was a British politician and the longest-serving Prime Minister of the United Kingdom since the Union with Ireland in 1801. He was 42 years old when he became premier in 1812 which made him younger than all of his successors to date...
bought the group's support for the government by creating Buckingham as Duke of Buckingham and Chandos and bringing in several of his supporters, notably Charles Williams Wynn, who became President of the Board of Control
President of the Board of Control
The President of the Board of Control was a British government official in the late 18th and early 19th century responsible for overseeing the British East India Company and generally serving as the chief official in London responsible for Indian affairs. The position was frequently a cabinet...
, into the government. In the years that followed, the Grenvillites disappeared as a distinct political faction.