George Grenville

George Grenville (1712-70), British prime minister (1763-65), born in London, and educated at Christ Church College, University of Oxford. In 1741 he became a member of Parliament, where he served for the rest of his life. Except for a brief period in 1757, he held office as treasurer of the navy from 1754 until 1762. Grenville was leader of the House of Commons and a member of the cabinet in 1761. In 1762-63 he occupied the post of first lord of the admiralty. In the latter year he was named prime minister, first lord of the treasury, and chancellor of the Exchequer. During his administration, libel proceedings were started against the popular member of Parliament John Wilkes for his criticisms of King George III, and the Stamp Act, one of the chief causes of friction between Great Britain and the American colonies, was enacted. Grenville came into frequent conflict with the king, who dismissed him in 1765. He was known in Parliament as the Gentle Shepherd after William Pitt the Elder (Lord Chatham) recited the words of a popular song “Gentle Shepherd, tell me where!” in reply to Grenville's querulous request that Parliament direct him where to impose new taxes.