Robert Walpole

The Right Honourable The Earl of Orford KG PC
Portrait by Jean-Baptiste van Loo, c. 1740
1st Prime Minister of Great Britain
In office 3 April 1721 – 11 February 1742
Monarchs	George I George II
Preceded by	Office established
Succeeded by	The Earl of Wilmington
First Lord of the Treasury
In office 4 April 1721 – 11 February 1742
Preceded by	Charles Spencer
Succeeded by	The Earl of Wilmington
In office 10 October 1715 – 12 April 1717
Preceded by	The Earl of Carlisle
Succeeded by	The Earl Stanhope
Chancellor of the Exchequer
In office 3 April 1721 – 12 February 1742
Preceded by	Sir John Pratt
Succeeded by	Samuel Sandys
In office 12 October 1715 – 15 April 1717
Preceded by	Sir Richard Onslow
Succeeded by	The Earl Stanhope
Further ministerial offices Paymaster of the Forces In office 11 June 1720 – 19 April 1721 Preceded by The Earl of Lincoln Succeeded by The Lord Cornwallis In office 3 October 1714 – 17 October 1715 Preceded by John Grubham Howe Thomas Moore Succeeded by The Earl of Lincoln Treasurer of the Navy In office 21 January 1710 – 2 January 1711 Preceded by Sir Thomas Littleton Succeeded by Charles Caesar Secretary at War In office 25 February 1708 – 8 August 1710 Preceded by Henry St John Succeeded by George Granville
Parliamentary offices Leader of the House of Commons In office 3 April 1721 – 6 February 1742 Succeeded by Samuel Sandys Member of Parliament for King's Lynn In office 1713 – 6 February 1742 Preceded by John Turner Succeeded by Edward Bacon In office 11 February 1712 – 6 March 1712 Preceded by Vacant Succeeded by John Turner In office 1702 – 17 January 1712 Preceded by Sir John Turner Succeeded by Vacant Member of Parliament for Castle Rising In office February 1701 – 1702 Preceded by Robert Walpole Succeeded by Horatio Walpole
Personal details
Born	(1676-08-26)26 August 1676 Houghton, Norfolk, England
Died	18 March 1745(1745-03-18) (aged 68) London, England
Resting place	St Martin at Tours' Church, Houghton
Political party	Whig
Spouses	Catherine Shorter ​ ​ (m. 1700; died 1737)​ Maria Skerret ​ ​ (m. 1738; died 1738)​
Children	6, including Robert, Edward and Horace
Parent	Col. Robert Walpole (father)
Relatives	Walpole family
Education	Eton College
Alma mater	King's College, Cambridge
Occupation	Businessman politician scholar
Signature

Robert Walpole, 1st Earl of Orford, KG, PC (26 August 1676 – 18 March 1745), known between 1725 and 1742 as Sir Robert Walpole, was a British statesman and Whig politician who, as First Lord of the Treasury, Chancellor of the Exchequer, and Leader of the House of Commons, is generally regarded as the de facto first Prime Minister of Great Britain.

Although the exact dates of Walpole's dominance, dubbed the "Robinocracy",^[1] are a matter of scholarly debate, the period 1721–1742 is often used. He dominated the Walpole–Townshend ministry, as well as the subsequent Walpole ministry, and holds the record as the longest-serving British prime minister. W. A. Speck wrote that Walpole's uninterrupted run of 20 years as prime minister "is rightly regarded as one of the major feats of British political history. Explanations are usually offered in terms of his expert handling of the political system after 1720, [and] his unique blending of the surviving powers of the crown with the increasing influence of the Commons".^[2]

Walpole was a Whig from the gentry class who was first elected to Parliament in 1701 and held many senior positions. He was a country squire and looked to country gentlemen for his political base. Historian F. O'Gorman says his leadership in Parliament reflected his "reasonable and persuasive oratory, his ability to move both the emotions as well as the minds of men, and, above all, his extraordinary self-confidence".^[3] Hoppit says Walpole's policies sought moderation, he worked for peace, lower taxes and growing exports and allowed a little more tolerance for Protestant Dissenters. He mostly avoided controversy and high-intensity disputes as his middle way attracted moderates from both the Whig and Tory camps, but his appointment to Chancellor of the Exchequer after the South Sea Bubble stock-market crisis drew attention to perceived protection of political allies by Walpole.^[4][5]

Historian H. T. Dickinson sums up his historical role by saying that "Walpole was one of the greatest politicians in British history. He played a significant role in sustaining the Whig party, safeguarding the Hanoverian succession, and defending the principles of the Glorious Revolution (1688). He established stable political supremacy for the Whig party and taught succeeding ministers how best to establish an effective working relationship between Crown and Parliament".^[6] Some scholars rank him highly among British prime ministers.^[7]