George Grenville
British prime minister who imposed the Stamp Act on American colonies.
George Grenville (14 October 1712 – 13 November 1770) was a British Whig politician who led the government as Prime Minister for a short period early in the reign of King George III, from 1763 to 1765. His main focus was tackling the enormous debt left by the Seven Years' War. To raise money for the crown, he introduced new taxes and tightened their collection, while also pushing for greater British control over the North American colonies. His most famous action was the Stamp Act, a tax already used in Britain that he applied to the American colonies, provoking fierce resistance there that eventually forced its repeal.
Grenville came from a politically powerful family. He entered Parliament in 1741 as a member for Buckingham and joined the Cobhamites, a group of young MPs loyal to Lord Cobham. In 1754, he became Treasurer of the Navy, a post he held twice until 1761. When William Pitt resigned in October 1761, Grenville stayed in government, becoming Leader of the Commons, which created a rift with his brother-in-law Pitt. He then served as Northern Secretary and First Lord of the Admiralty under Prime Minister Lord Bute. After Bute resigned on 8 April 1763, Grenville took over as prime minister.
His administration tried to cut public spending and took a firm line with the American colonies and settlers. The Stamp Act, his signature policy, was a long-standing British tax that he extended across the Atlantic, but it sparked such opposition in the colonies that it was later repealed. Relations with his colleagues and the king grew increasingly tense. In 1765, George III dismissed him and replaced him with Lord Rockingham. For the final five years of his life, Grenville led a faction of supporters in opposition and eventually reconciled publicly with Pitt.
Grenville married Elizabeth Wyndham. She was the granddaughter of Charles Seymour, 6th Duke of Somerset, and a descendant of Lady Katherine Grey, who herself was a great-granddaughter of Henry VII and Elizabeth of York, as well as the sister of Lady Jane Grey.
**Early life: 1712–1741**
**Family** George Grenville was born at Wotton House on 14 October 1712, the second son of Sir Richard Grenville and Hester Temple (later the 1st Countess Temple). He had four brothers, all of whom became MPs. His sister Hester Grenville married the leading politician William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham. His elder brother
- born
- 14 October 1712
- died
- 13 November 1770
- field
- Politics
- nationality
- British
- known_for
- Stamp Act, Prime Minister of Great Britain (1763–1765)
Lore & Background
George Grenville was born at Wotton House on 14 October 1712, the second son of Sir Richard Grenville and Hester Temple. He was educated at Eton College and Christ Church, Oxford, but did not graduate. He entered Parliament in 1741 as a member for Buckingham, serving for 29 years until his death. He emerged as one of the Cobhamites, a group of young MPs associated with Lord Cobham. In 1754, he became Treasurer of the Navy, a position he held twice until 1761. In October 1761, he chose to stay in government as Leader of the Commons, causing a rift with his brother-in-law William Pitt. He later served as Northern Secretary and First Lord of the Admiralty under Prime Minister Lord Bute.
Reader's Guide
Grenville's significance lies in his brief but consequential premiership (1763–1765), during which he sought to bring the North American colonies under tighter crown control and increase revenue through new taxes, including the Stamp Act. This policy instigated widespread opposition in the American colonies and was later repealed. His government also tried to control public spending and pursued an assertive colonial policy. Grenville's strained relations with colleagues and King George III led to his dismissal in 1765. His legacy is tied to the pre-revolutionary tensions in America, as his revenue measures contributed to colonial grievances. After his dismissal, he led a group of supporters in opposition and staged a public reconciliation with Pitt.
Did You Know?
- Grenville served as Prime Minister for only two years, from 1763 to 1765.
- He extended the Stamp Act, a long-standing tax in Great Britain, to the American colonies.
- Grenville was the brother-in-law of William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham.
- He was educated at Eton College and Christ Church, Oxford, but did not graduate.
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