The rotten borough which gave Britain yet another PM

William Pitt was born in Westminster in 1708, the son of Robert Pitt and Lady Harriet Villiers. The family was not aristocratic but Pitt's grandfather made huge sums of money investing in India and when he died was the richest man in England. Pitt went to Eton and Oxford but left without graduating and was given a commission in the King's Own Regiment of Horse. (The Blues).

In 1735 Pitt was elected as Member of Parliament for the rotten borough of Old Sarum. The following year he made his maiden speech in the House of Commons rallying for the Prince of Wales and against the interests of the King. The Prime Minister, Walpole, was incensed saying, 'we must in all events muzzle that terrible cornet of horse' and arranged for him to lose his position in the army. This backfired on the government as Pitt became something of a celebrity martyr and the Prince of Wales gave him the position of the Groom to his Bedchamber.

In 1746 Pitt was appointed Paymaster General and the following year became MP for Seaford remaining in post until 1754 when he became MP for Aldborough (yet another rotten borough!)

It is probable that Pitt visited Seaford on more than one occasion and may have stayed in the building in the High Street which faces Broad Street. (now a restaurant and a fashion shop) This was known as Pitt House. 1754 was also the year he married his wife Hester Grenville. They had three sons and two daughters. Of course, one of his sons also became Prime Minister (Pitt the Younger).

Pitt's wife had the extraordinary distinction of being the wife, mother, sister and aunt of four British Prime Ministers!

The Seven Years War (primarily an Anglo-French war fought across the world) broke out in 1756 and, as Secretary of State, Pitt was in charge of the military. Despite early setbacks, the army gradually took control of many tracts of French territory in North America. The town of Fort Duquesne was renamed in honour of Pitt and is now the City of Pittsburgh. Under Pitt the Navy was strengthened and the Empire extended. He was very popular with the British public and wished to continue British success by declaring war on Spain (then a French ally) but the new King George III and his advisers disagreed and Pitt resigned.

The King did not want Pitt to return to politics and offered him several posts including the Duchy of Lancaster and being the Governor of Canada. He declined but accepted an honour for his wife who became Lady Chatham.

Britain did eventually declare war on Spain and the vindicated Pitt returned to parliament delivering a scathing three hour speech. The Prime Minister resigned and was replaced in 1763 by George Grenville '“ Pitt's brother-in-law.

Pitt became Prime Minister on July 30, 1766 and a week later was created the 1st Earl of Chatham. Although King George III now backed Pitt he rarely appeared in parliament due to his failing health and he resigned after just two years.

On April 7, 1778 the ailing former premier attended the House of Lords to oppose a motion to give the American colonies their independence but as he rose to speak, he collapsed. He died a few weeks later at his home in Hayes and was buried in the north transept of Westminster Abbey with his wife. George III helped pay for his tomb which is more than 33 feet tall and consists of a statue of the great man giving an oration surrounded with the figures of Britannia, Neptune, Prudence and Fortitude.

A lifelike wax effigy of Pitt dressed in his parliamentary robes can be seen in the abbey museum.

Two roads in Seaford are named after this Prime Minister '“ Chatham Place, off Steyne Road and Pitt Drive, off Lexden Drive.

KEVIN GORDON