Name

George Grenville

Biography

First Lord of the Treasury from April 1763. Inherited a post-war fiscal crisis — the Seven Years' War had nearly doubled the national debt. Methodical where predecessors had been indifferent, systematic where they had been opportunistic. He found revenue in two places: the American colonies and the Isle of Man. The Stamp Act and the Revestment Act were conceived as parts of a single fiscal strategy. The Duke of York listed 'the proposing the American Tax, and the purchase of the Isle of Man' as twin achievements. Grenville's diary entry: 'Mr. Grenville was able to go to the House of Commons upon the business concerning the purchase of the Isle of Man, in which he met with universal approbation.' One line. Universal approbation for the purchase of a kingdom.

Active Period

1712–1770

Place

Westminster

London

Period

Atholl Lordship

Related To

George III

Role / Office

First Lord of the Treasury

Prime Minister

Book Chapter

Chapter 9

Chapter 10