Rockingham and Yorkshire : the political, economic and social role of Charles Watson-Wentworth, the second Marquis of Rockingham
Charles Watson-Wentworth, second Marquis of Rockingham, is, perhaps, the most overlooked Prime Minister of the eighteenth century. The aim of this thesis is to re-examine the current assessments of the marquis, that he was immature, inept and unfit for high office, and to revise them as necessary. It also aims to indicate the areas where he may have been misjudged. The marquis primarily is placed in his local context of Yorkshire. His upbringing is studied to give same insight into his background and then his roles of landowner and local magnate are examined. His duties of Lord Lieutenant are dealt with by looking at four specific episodes in which he was involved. His political career is investigated at local level both as leader of the Rockingham party and particularly in his ability to influence Yorkshire politics between 1753 and 1782. The udder interests and concerns of Rockingham in Ireland and America are also studied. Rockingham showed great promise as a child although he suffered from a debilitating illness which recurred throughout his life and probably caused his sudden and early death. Far from being incompetent and immature, he was an active estate developer and improver and was a key figure in
Bloy, Marjorie
Life of C. Watson-Wentworth
Rockingham and Yorkshire : the political, economic and social role of Charles Watson-Wentworth, the second Marquis of Rockingham. Charles Watson-Wentworth, second Marquis of Rockingham, is, perhaps, the most overlooked Prime Minister of the eighteenth century. The aim of this thesis is to re-examine the current assessments of the marquis, that he was immature, inept and unfit for high office, and to revise them as necessary. It also aims to indicate the areas where he may have been misjudged. The marquis primarily is placed in his local context of Yorkshire. His upbringing is studied to give same insight into his background and then his roles of landowner and local magnate are examined. His duties of Lord Lieutenant are dealt with by looking at four specific episodes in which he was involved. His political career is investigated at local level both as leader of the Rockingham party and particularly in his ability to influence Yorkshire politics between 1753 and 1782. The udder interests and concerns of Rockingham in Ireland and America are also studied. Rockingham showed great promise as a child although he suffered from a debilitating illness which recurred throughout his life and probably caused his sudden and early death. Far from being incompetent and immature, he was an active estate developer and improver and was a key figure in
yorkshire political_economic social_role charles second charles second perhaps overlook prime_minister aim_re examine current assessment immature unfit high office revise necessary also_aim indicate_area may primarily place local_context yorkshire upbringing study give_insight background roles landowner local magnate examine duty lord deal look four_specific episode involve political_career investigate local_level leader party particularly ability influence yorkshire politics interest concern ireland america also study show great promise child although debilitate illness recur throughout_life probably cause sudden early death far incompetent immature active estate developer key_figure