Henry Addington, 1st Viscount Sidmouth facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Rt Hon Henry Addington
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| Prime Minister of the United Kingdom | |
| In office 17 March 1801 – 10 May 1804 |
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| Preceded by | William Pitt the Younger |
| Succeeded by | William Pitt the Younger |
| Chancellor of the Exchequer | |
| In office 17 March 1801 – 10 May 1804 |
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| Preceded by | William Pitt the Younger |
| Succeeded by | William Pitt the Younger |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 30 January 1757 Holborn, London |
| Died | 15 February 1844 (aged 87) Richmond, Surrey |
| Political party | Tory |
Henry Addington, 1st Viscount Sidmouth (born January 30, 1757 – died February 15, 1844) was a key British statesman. He held the important role of Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1801 to 1804.
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Who Was Henry Addington?
Henry Addington was a British politician who became Prime Minister. His father was a doctor who specialized in helping people with mental health issues. Interestingly, his father was one of King George III's doctors. Because of this, some people called Henry Addington "The Doctor," though not always in a friendly way.
Early Career in Politics
Before he became Prime Minister, Addington had another very important job. He was the Speaker of the House of Commons. The Speaker is like the referee in a debate, making sure rules are followed. This role showed he was respected and good at managing discussions.
Becoming Prime Minister
Addington took over as Prime Minister in 1801. This was a challenging time for Britain. One of his main goals was to make peace with Napoleon's France. He tried hard to achieve a lasting peace agreement. However, his efforts were not successful in the long run.
Challenges and Later Life
As Prime Minister, Addington faced many difficulties. Some people did not think he was a strong leader. A famous rhyme at the time compared him to a less important place: "Pitt is to Addington as London is to Paddington." This meant that William Pitt the Younger, another Prime Minister, was seen as much more important than Addington.
After his time as Prime Minister, Addington continued to serve in government. As Viscount Sidmouth, he became the Home Secretary. This job involves looking after law and order within the country. He was known for having very traditional and strict views during this time. Eventually, he retired from this role. Sir Robert Peel, another important politician, took over from him.
