{"slug": "robert-walpole", "label": "Robert Walpole", "wikipedia": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Walpole", "wikidata": "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q104190", "qid": "Q104190", "description": "British statesman and art collector, 1st Earl of Orford (1676–1745)", "entries": 31, "years": 18, "span": [1676, 1745], "span_label": ["1676 CE", "1745 CE"], "topics": [{"title": "Geopolitics & Diplomacy", "count": 22}, {"title": "Births", "count": 2}, {"title": "Economy & Finance", "count": 2}, {"title": "Deaths", "count": 2}, {"title": "Crime & Justice", "count": 1}, {"title": "Climate & Environment", "count": 1}, {"title": "Conflict & Security", "count": 1}], "also_known_as": [], "related": [{"slug": "prime-minister-of-the-united-kingdom", "label": "Prime Minister of the United Kingdom", "shared": 8}, {"slug": "whigs-british-political-party", "label": "Whigs (British political party)", "shared": 6}, {"slug": "chancellor-of-the-exchequer", "label": "Chancellor of the Exchequer", "shared": 2}, {"slug": "tower-of-london", "label": "Tower of London", "shared": 1}, {"slug": "house-of-lords", "label": "House of Lords", "shared": 1}, {"slug": "house-of-commons-of-the-united-kingdom", "label": "House of Commons of the United Kingdom", "shared": 1}, {"slug": "prime-minister", "label": "Prime minister", "shared": 1}, {"slug": "spencer-compton-1st-earl-of-wilmington", "label": "Spencer Compton, 1st Earl of Wilmington", "shared": 1}], "items": [{"year": 1676, "year_label": "1676 CE", "section": "Births", "date": "August 26", "text": "August 26 – Robert Walpole, first Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (d. 1745)", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1365992596#Births", "title": "1676", "revid": 1365992596, "section": "Births"}}, {"year": 1676, "year_label": "1676 CE", "section": "Births", "date": "August 26", "text": "26 August – Robert Walpole, first Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (died 1745)", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1353737473#Births", "title": "1676 in England", "revid": 1353737473, "section": "Births"}}, {"year": 1701, "year_label": "1701 CE", "section": "Geopolitics & Diplomacy", "date": "February 17", "text": "February 17 (February 6, 1700 O.S.) – The 5th Parliament of William III in England assembles. Future British Prime Minister Robert Walpole enters the House of Commons for the first time and soon makes his name as a spokesman for Whig policy.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1366683505#January–June", "title": "1701", "revid": 1366683505, "section": "Events › January–June"}}, {"year": 1712, "year_label": "1712 CE", "section": "Crime & Justice", "date": "January 17", "text": "17 January – Robert Walpole imprisoned in the Tower of London following charges of corruption.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1276007861#Events", "title": "1712 in Great Britain", "revid": 1276007861, "section": "Events"}}, {"year": 1715, "year_label": "1715 CE", "section": "Geopolitics & Diplomacy", "date": "October 12", "text": "October 12 – Baron Onslow resigns as Great Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer and is replaced by future Prime Minister Robert Walpole.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1355668843#October–December", "title": "1715", "revid": 1355668843, "section": "Events › October–December"}}, {"year": 1717, "year_label": "1717 CE", "section": "Geopolitics & Diplomacy", "date": "April 10", "text": "10 April – following the dismissal of his ally Lord Townshend, Robert Walpole resigns from the government. This begins the Whig Split which lasts until 1720.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1320245148#Events", "title": "1717 in Great Britain", "revid": 1320245148, "section": "Events"}}, {"year": 1719, "year_label": "1719 CE", "section": "Geopolitics & Diplomacy", "date": "April 28", "text": "28 April – A Peerage Bill, proposed by Charles Spencer, 3rd Earl of Sunderland and James Stanhope, 1st Earl Stanhope, to prevent the creation of peers in the House of Lords, is defeated in the House of Commons by the eloquence of Robert Walpole.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1320245199#Events", "title": "1719 in Great Britain", "revid": 1320245199, "section": "Events"}}, {"year": 1720, "year_label": "1720 CE", "section": "Geopolitics & Diplomacy", "date": "June 11", "text": "11 June – Robert Walpole and his ally and brother-in-law Charles Townshend rejoin the government as Paymaster of the Forces and Lord President of the Council ending the Whig Split lasting since 1717. Within a year they will be Prime Minister and Northern Secretary respectively.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1320245214#Events", "title": "1720 in Great Britain", "revid": 1320245214, "section": "Events"}}, {"year": 1721, "year_label": "1721 CE", "section": "Geopolitics & Diplomacy", "date": "April 4", "text": "April 4 – Robert Walpole becomes the first Prime Minister of Great Britain (although this is more a term of disparagement at this time).", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1367153403#April–June", "title": "1721", "revid": 1367153403, "section": "Events › April–June"}}, {"year": 1721, "year_label": "1721 CE", "section": "Geopolitics & Diplomacy", "date": "April 4", "text": "4 April – Robert Walpole becomes the first Prime Minister (although this is more a term of disparagement at this time).", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1360781866#Events", "title": "1721 in Great Britain", "revid": 1360781866, "section": "Events"}}, {"year": 1722, "year_label": "1722 CE", "section": "Geopolitics & Diplomacy", "date": "May 9", "text": "May 9 – The 1722 British general election (began March 19) closes with Prime Minister Robert Walpole's Whig Party increasing its majority in the House of Commons of Great Britain, capturing 48 additional seats from the Tory Party and having a 389 to 169 advantage.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1365128046#April–June", "title": "1722", "revid": 1365128046, "section": "Events › April–June"}}, {"year": 1722, "year_label": "1722 CE", "section": "Climate & Environment", "date": "May 9", "text": "9 May – General election ends, resulting in a landslide victory for the Whig government of Robert Walpole which increases its majority in the House of Commons to 220.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1363704574#Events", "title": "1722 in Great Britain", "revid": 1363704574, "section": "Events"}}, {"year": 1726, "year_label": "1726 CE", "section": "Geopolitics & Diplomacy", "date": "November", "text": "November - John Verney is appointed a judge in Wales by prime minister Robert Walpole, after switching his political allegiance.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1360134108#Events", "title": "1726 in Wales", "revid": 1360134108, "section": "Events"}}, {"year": 1727, "year_label": "1727 CE", "section": "Geopolitics & Diplomacy", "date": "October 17", "text": "October 17 – With voting for the British House of Commons concluding, the Whigs, led by Sir Robert Walpole, increase their supermajority, winning 415 of the 558 seats. The Tories share of Commons decreases from 169 to 128.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1360176234#October–December", "title": "1727", "revid": 1360176234, "section": "Events › October–December"}}, {"year": 1730, "year_label": "1730 CE", "section": "Geopolitics & Diplomacy", "date": "May 15", "text": "May 15 – Charles Townshend, 2nd Viscount Townshend, retires from his role in the government of Great Britain, leaving Robert Walpole as sole and undisputed leader of the Cabinet (i.e., prime minister). In the new Walpole ministry, Sir William Strickland, 4th Baronet, becomes Secretary at War, and Henry Pelham is Paymaster of the Forces; Spencer Compton, 1st Earl of Wilmington briefly becomes Lord Privy Seal.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1369560881#April–June", "title": "1730", "revid": 1369560881, "section": "Events › April–June"}}, {"year": 1730, "year_label": "1730 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": "May 15", "text": "15 May – Walpole–Townshend ministry dissolved when Charles Townshend, 2nd Viscount Townshend resigns as Secretary of State for the Northern Department after a dispute with Robert Walpole.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1275835368#Events", "title": "1730 in Great Britain", "revid": 1275835368, "section": "Events"}}, {"year": 1733, "year_label": "1733 CE", "section": "Economy & Finance", "date": "April 6", "text": "April 6 – After British Prime Minister Robert Walpole's proposed excise tax bill results in rioting over the imposition of additional taxes and the use of government agents to collect them, Walpole informs the House of Commons that he will withdraw the legislation.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1358761924#April–June", "title": "1733", "revid": 1358761924, "section": "Events › April–June"}}, {"year": 1733, "year_label": "1733 CE", "section": "Economy & Finance", "date": "April 6", "text": "6 April – after Prime Minister Robert Walpole's proposed excise tax bill to replace tariffs on wine and tobacco results in rioting over the imposition of additional taxes and the use of government agents to collect them, Walpole informs the House of Commons that he will withdraw the legislation.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1275835385#Events", "title": "1733 in Great Britain", "revid": 1275835385, "section": "Events"}}, {"year": 1734, "year_label": "1734 CE", "section": "Geopolitics & Diplomacy", "date": "April 22", "text": "22 April to 6 June – general election results in Robert Walpole winning his third victory as Prime Minister.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1295944567#Events", "title": "1734 in Great Britain", "revid": 1295944567, "section": "Events"}}, {"year": 1734, "year_label": "1734 CE", "section": "Geopolitics & Diplomacy", "date": "June 6", "text": "June 6 – With the conclusion of the British general election (voting having begun in some constituencies on April 22), the Whigs, led by Prime Minister Robert Walpole, lose 85 seats but retain their majority.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1363450203#April–June", "title": "1734", "revid": 1363450203, "section": "Events › April–June"}}, {"year": 1735, "year_label": "1735 CE", "section": "Geopolitics & Diplomacy", "date": "September 22", "text": "September 22 – Sir Robert Walpole, the Prime Minister of Great Britain, becomes the first British premier to move into London's 10 Downing Street.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1365121192#July–September", "title": "1735", "revid": 1365121192, "section": "Events › July–September"}}, {"year": 1735, "year_label": "1735 CE", "section": "Geopolitics & Diplomacy", "date": "September 22", "text": "22 September – Robert Walpole moves into 10 Downing Street.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1295950707#Events", "title": "1735 in Great Britain", "revid": 1295950707, "section": "Events"}}, {"year": 1741, "year_label": "1741 CE", "section": "Geopolitics & Diplomacy", "date": "February 13", "text": "February 13 – Sir Robert Walpole, the prime minister of Great Britain, popularizes the term \"the balance of power\" in a speech in Parliament.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1360183595#January–March", "title": "1741", "revid": 1360183595, "section": "Events › January–March"}}, {"year": 1741, "year_label": "1741 CE", "section": "Geopolitics & Diplomacy", "date": "February 13", "text": "13 February – Robert Walpole, the Prime Minister, introduces the term \"balance of power\" in a speech in Parliament.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1275835304#Events", "title": "1741 in Great Britain", "revid": 1275835304, "section": "Events"}}, {"year": 1741, "year_label": "1741 CE", "section": "Geopolitics & Diplomacy", "date": "June 11", "text": "June 11 – 1741 British general election, begun on April 30, concludes with Prime Minister Robert Walpole's Whigs retaining their majority in the House of Commons but losing 44 seats to candidates who have defected to the new Patriot Whigs to oppose his policies.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1360183595#April–June", "title": "1741", "revid": 1360183595, "section": "Events › April–June"}}, {"year": 1741, "year_label": "1741 CE", "section": "Geopolitics & Diplomacy", "date": "June 11", "text": "11 June – 1741 British general election, begun on 30 April, concludes with Prime Minister Robert Walpole's Whigs retaining their majority in the House of Commons but losing control of a number of rotten and pocket boroughs with 44 seats lost to candidates who have defected to the new Patriot Whigs to oppose Walpole's policies.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1275835304#Events", "title": "1741 in Great Britain", "revid": 1275835304, "section": "Events"}}, {"year": 1742, "year_label": "1742 CE", "section": "Geopolitics & Diplomacy", "date": "January", "text": "January – the House of Commons votes on the alleged rigging of the Chippenham by-election. It becomes a motion of no confidence which leads to the resignation of Robert Walpole.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1275835314#Events", "title": "1742 in Great Britain", "revid": 1275835314, "section": "Events"}}, {"year": 1742, "year_label": "1742 CE", "section": "Geopolitics & Diplomacy", "date": "January 9", "text": "January 9 – Robert Walpole is made Earl of Orford, and resigns as First Lord of the Treasury and Chancellor of the Exchequer, effectively ending his period as Prime Minister of Great Britain. On his formally relinquishing office five days later, he will have served 20 years and 314 days as Prime Minister, the longest single term ever, and also longer than the accumulated terms of any other British Prime Minister.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1360184270#January–March", "title": "1742", "revid": 1360184270, "section": "Events › January–March"}}, {"year": 1742, "year_label": "1742 CE", "section": "Geopolitics & Diplomacy", "date": "January 28", "text": "January 28? – The House of Commons of Great Britain votes on the alleged rigging of the Chippenham by-election. It becomes a motion of no confidence, which leads to the resignation of Robert Walpole.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1360184270#January–March", "title": "1742", "revid": 1360184270, "section": "Events › January–March"}}, {"year": 1745, "year_label": "1745 CE", "section": "Deaths", "date": "March 18", "text": "March 18 – Robert Walpole, first Prime Minister of Great Britain (b. 1676)", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1353016128#Deaths", "title": "1745", "revid": 1353016128, "section": "Deaths"}}, {"year": 1745, "year_label": "1745 CE", "section": "Deaths", "date": "March 18", "text": "18 March – Robert Walpole, first Prime Minister of Great Britain (born 1676)", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1275835334#Deaths", "title": "1745 in Great Britain", "revid": 1275835334, "section": "Deaths"}}]}