Secretary of State for War and the Colonies facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Secretary of State for War and the Colonies
Royal Arms used by His Majesty's Government
Style	The Right Honourable
Member of	Cabinet · Privy Council · Parliament
Appointer	Monarch of the United Kingdom based on advice of the Prime Minister
Term length	At His Majesty's pleasure
Formation	17 March 1801
First holder	The Lord Hobart
Final holder	The Duke of Newcastle
Abolished	10 June 1854
Succession	Secretary of State for War · Secretary of State for the Colonies
Deputy	Under-Secretary of State for War and the Colonies

The Secretary of State for War and the Colonies was a very important job in the British government. This person was in charge of two big areas: the British army and all the British colonies around the world (except for India). They had a helper called an Under-Secretary of State for War and the Colonies to assist them with their duties.

What Was This Important Job?

The Secretary of State for War and the Colonies was a top-level Cabinet member. This meant they were part of a small group of senior ministers who made big decisions for the country. Their main tasks involved looking after the army and managing the many lands that were part of the British Empire.

When Did This Role Begin and End?

This special government department started in 1801. It lasted for over 50 years. In 1854, the job was split into two separate roles. One became the Secretary of State for War, focusing only on the army. The other became the Secretary of State for the Colonies, dealing with the colonies. This change happened because the British Empire was growing, and managing both areas became too much for one person.

Who Held This Important Position?

Many important people served as the Secretary of State for War and the Colonies. They were responsible for leading the army and managing the colonies during a time of great change for Britain. Below is a list of the people who held this job and when they served.

Secretary of State for War and the Colonies

Secretary			Term of office		Party	Ministry	Monarch (Reign)
		Robert Hobart Baron Hobart	17 March 1801	12 May 1804	Tory	Addington	George III (1760–1820)
		John Pratt 2nd Earl Camden	14 May 1804	10 July 1805	Tory	Pitt II
		Robert Stewart Viscount Castlereagh MP for Boroughbridge	10 July 1805	5 February 1806	Tory
		William Windham MP for New Romney	5 February 1806	25 March 1807	Whig	All the Talents (Whig–Tory)
		Robert Stewart Viscount Castlereagh MP for Plympton Erle	25 March 1807	1 November 1809	Tory	Portland II
		Robert Jenkinson 2nd Earl of Liverpool	1 November 1809	11 June 1812	Tory	Perceval
		Henry Bathurst 3rd Earl Bathurst	11 June 1812	30 April 1827	Tory	Liverpool
							George IV
		F. J. Robinson 1st Viscount Goderich	30 April 1827	3 September 1827	Tory	Canning (Canningite–Whig)
		William Huskisson MP for Liverpool	3 September 1827	30 May 1828	Tory	Goderich (Canningite–Whig)
		George Murray MP for Perthshire	30 May 1828	22 November 1830	Tory	Wellington–Peel
							William IV
		F. J. Robinson 1st Viscount Goderich	22 November 1830	3 April 1833	Whig	Grey
		Edward Smith-Stanley MP for North Lancashire	3 April 1833	5 June 1834	Whig
		Thomas Spring Rice MP for Cambridge	5 June 1834	14 November 1834	Whig	Melbourne I
		Arthur Wellesley 1st Duke of Wellington	17 November 1834	9 December 1834	Tory	Wellington Caretaker
		George Hamilton-Gordon 4th Earl of Aberdeen	20 December 1834	8 April 1835	Conservative	Peel I
		Charles Grant 1st Baron Glenelg	18 April 1835	20 February 1839	Whig	Melbourne II
							Victoria
		Constantine Phipps 1st Marquess of Normanby	20 February 1839	30 August 1839	Whig
		John Russell MP for Stroud	30 August 1839	30 August 1841	Whig
		Edward Smith-Stanley Baron Stanley of Bickerstaffe	3 September 1841	23 December 1845	Conservative	Peel II
		William Ewart Gladstone	23 December 1845	27 June 1846	Conservative
		Henry Grey 3rd Earl Grey	6 July 1846	21 February 1852	Whig	Russell I
		John Pakington MP for Droitwich	27 February 1852	17 December 1852	Conservative	Who? Who?
		Henry Pelham-Clinton 5th Duke of Newcastle	28 December 1852	10 June 1854	Peelite	Aberdeen (Peelite–Whig)