William Dowdeswell (politician, born 1721) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William Dowdeswell
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|---|---|
| Chancellor of the Exchequer | |
| In office 16 July 1765 – 2 August 1766 |
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| Monarch | George III |
| Prime Minister | The Marquess of Rockingham |
| Preceded by | Hon. George Grenville |
| Succeeded by | Hon. Charles Townshend |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1721 |
| Died | 6 February 1775 (aged 53–54) Nice, France |
| Nationality | British |
| Political party | Whig |
| Spouse | Bridget Codrington |
| Alma mater | Christ Church, Oxford University of Leiden |
| Signature | _(signature).jpg){kind=small} |
William Dowdeswell (born March 12, 1721, died February 6, 1775) was an important British politician. He was a leader of a political group called the Rockingham Whigs.
Contents
Early Life and Education
William Dowdeswell was born in 1721. His father was also named William Dowdeswell. The family lived at Pull Court in Worcestershire, England.
Young William went to some excellent schools. He studied at Westminster School and then at Christ Church, Oxford University. He also went to the University of Leiden in the Netherlands. One of his classmates there was Baron d'Holbach, a famous writer.
A Career in Politics
William Dowdeswell became a member of Parliament in 1747. He represented the area of Tewkesbury until 1754. Later, from 1761 until he passed away, he represented Worcestershire.
He became a well-known member of the Whig political party. In 1765, he was chosen to be the Chancellor of the Exchequer. This job is like being the main money manager for the country. He worked under the leader Marquess of Rockingham. William Dowdeswell was good at this job, even though he held it for a short time.
When the Marquess of Rockingham's government ended in 1766, William Dowdeswell was asked to join the new government. However, he chose to stay loyal to his friends and refused the offer. He then became the leader of the Rockingham Whig party in the House of Commons. He often spoke in important debates.
Warning About America
In 1774, Parliament was discussing a law called the Boston Port Act. This law was about punishing the American colonies. William Dowdeswell warned that this act would "soon inflame all America." He believed it would cause big problems that would be hard to fix. His warning showed he understood the growing tensions with the colonies.
Family and Later Life
In 1747, William Dowdeswell married Bridget Codrington. They had many children, possibly as many as 15! One of their sons was Charles William Dowdeswell, born in 1756.
In 1774, William Dowdeswell traveled abroad to improve his health. Sadly, he died in February 1775 in Nice, France. His friend, the famous writer Edmund Burke, wrote a special message for his monument.
Images for kids
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William Dowdeswell's signature
