Robert Walpole

Description: (Prime Minister of Great Britain (1721-42))

Sir Robert Walpole was a British statesman who served as the first Prime Minister of Great Britain. His tenure lasted for twenty years making him the longest serving Prime Minister in British history, a record which he holds till date. Coming from a politically active family, Walpole’s influence was such that his era of dominance is fondly remembered as Robinocracy or Robinarchy. A Whig politician, he first came into politics in 1701 as a member of the parliament. Soon, he jumped up the ladder and took up many senior positions. It was under George I’s reign that Walpole was first elected as the Prime Minister of Great Britain in 1721, a chair that he held until 1742. Under his premiership, Britain prospered and shined. He helped establish peace by signing peace treatises, bettered Britain financial situation by lowering taxes, prevented major financial crux by reinstating government funds after South Sea Bubble collapse, pioneered protectionist policies thus enabling import and export and treaded the mid path by allowing tolerance for Protestant Dissenters. What gave him the edge over other politicians of his day was his middle route. He avoided high-intensity disputes in a jiffy by simply taking the mid path thus attracting moderates from both the Whig and the Tories. All through his life, Walpole excelled at establishing an effective working relationship between the Crown and the Parliament which stood as a major example for future prime ministers to follow

Overview

Birthday August 26, 1676 (Virgo)
Alternative names Robert Walpole, 1st Earl of Orford
City Norfolk, England
Died on March 18, 0
Spouse/Ex- Catherine, Lady Walpole, Maria
Parents
Children Edward Walpole, Horace Walpole, Lady Maria Walpole, Lady Mary Walpole, Robert Walpole
Relatives 1st Baron Walpole, Dorothy Walpole, Horatio Walpole
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