On This Day

July 13, 1765

The Marquess of Rockingham becomes Prime Minister

Following the dismissal of George Grenville, King George III appoints the Marquess of Rockingham as First Lord of the Treasury. Rockingham was politically inexperienced and initially the main direction of the government came from the two men who brought the government into being, the former Prime Minister the Duke of Newcastle (Lord Privy Seal) and the King’s uncle the Duke of Cumberland (Minister without Portfolio).