Henry Fox

Henry Fox (1705-1774), British statesman, born in London, and educated at Christ Church, University of Oxford. Upon entering Parliament in 1735 Fox became a supporter of the Whig prime minister Sir Robert Walpole and held various posts in successive ministries over the next 30 years. As a paymaster general of the armed forces during the Seven Years' War, he acquired a large fortune, and as leader of the House of Commons he won approval of the Treaty of Paris (1763), over strong opposition, through persuasion, bribery, and intimidation. He was raised to the peerage as Baron Holland in reward, but in 1765 he was forced to resign as paymaster general. Four years later, charges of misuse of public funds were brought against Fox. The proceedings in the court of Exchequer, however, were stayed by King George III. Henry Fox was the father of Charles James Fox.