William Cavendish, Duke of Devonshire 1756 7 Whig
Born: 1720First entered Parliament: 19 May 1741Age he became PM: 36 yearsMaiden speech: On 16 November 1742 he moved the Address on the King's SpeechTotal time as PM: 225 daysDied: 2 October 1764 at Spa, Germany
Facts and figures
Education: It is assumed that Cavendish had private tuitionFamily: Devonshire was the eldest son and second of seven children. He was married to Charlotte Elizabeth Boyle, Baroness Clifford, and had three sons and one daughterInterests: Horse racing (he was one of the founders of the Jockey Club)Biography
The reluctant PMA reluctant prime minister - and known as one the best looking men in London - the Duke of Devonshire had no real thirst for political power, and his short time in office was dominated by Pitt the Elder.George II had to work hard to persuade him to accept the position of prime minister. When he did, at the age of 36, the effective premier was Pitt the Elder, acting as Secretary of State.The chief events of Devonshire's term were the court martialling of a navy admiral for his failure to relieve Minorca, and a dispute with the Duke of Cumberland over the defence of Hanover.Devonshire resigned after a lacklustre seven months. In 1764 he died in Germany, at a younger age than any other BritishPM - just 44 years old.Quote unquote
"Every King must make use of human means to attain human ends or his affairs will go to ruin."