Background
A descendant of the 1st Earl of Strafford, Lord Rockingham was brought up at the family home of Wentworth Woodhouse near Rotherham in South Yorkshire. He was born on May 13, 1730 in Wentworth.
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Charles Wentworth Watson
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also known as
2nd marquess of Rockingham
Education
Charles was educated at Westminster school and St John's College, Cambridge.
Career
He succeeded to his father’s title of marquess in 1750 and served from 1751 to 1762 as gentleman of the bedchamber for George II (reigned 1727–60) and George III (reigned 1760–1820). In July 1765 George III dismissed George Grenville as head of the ministry and appointed Rockingham in his place. The new prime minister obtained repeal of the Stamp Act, which had imposed an unpopular tax on the American colonists, but he agreed to the passage of a Declaratory Act reaffirming Parliament’s power to tax the colonies and to make statutes binding on them in all areas. He tried to lighten the tax burden on Americans by reducing the duty on non-British imported molasses. Despite solid legislative achievements in other areas, Rockingham’s ministry collapsed through internal dissension, and in July 1766 George replaced Rockingham with William Pitt (later earl of Chatham).
For the next 16 years Rockingham led a strong parliamentary opposition to the ministries in power. Because he was totally lacking in oratorical skills, his brilliant colleague Edmund Burke presented the group’s case against Britain’s efforts to suppress the American rebellion. During his brief second ministry Rockingham initiated peace negotiations with the American colonists and pushed through Parliament Burke’s program for limiting the king’s patronage power. In addition, his ministry obtained legislative independence for the Irish Parliament. Ross Hoffman’s biography of Rockingham, The Marquis, was published in 1973.
Achievements
Politics
An often underrated politician, Rockingham contributed significantly to the emergence of a distinct Whig ideology.
Rockingham and his followers constantly reiterated that they were the only true Whigs and, by force of repetition, a diffuse term was reclaimed: the Rockinghamites gradually developed a near monopoly of the title ‘Whig Party’.
Membership
He was a member of the House of Lords.
Connections
In 1752, Rockingham was appointed Lord of the Bedchamber to George II and married Mary Bright.
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Born
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Died
July 1, 1782 (aged 52) -
Resting place
York Minster, Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom -
Nationality
British -
Political Party
Whig Party