Titans: Fox vs. Pitt

Description

Charles James Fox and William Pitt the Younger were the two political giants of their day - the greatest of orators, and the fiercest of rivals. But did the two men have anything in common? Each was a younger son of distinguished fathers, who themselves had been bitter rivals for power a generation earlier, and each came to prominence at a very young age. Temperamentally, however, they could hardly have been more different. Fox was genial, tolerant, gregarious, self-indulgent, rash, a reckless gambler and a drinking companion of the Prince of Wales (later the Prince Regent and George IV) whereas Pitt was cautious, self-controlled (though also a heavy drinker), calculating, ruthless and misanthropic. Their fates were heavily influenced by their respective relationships with George III, who formed an insensate hostility to Fox, using unconstitutional means to exclude him from power, while favouring Pitt, whom he appointed as Prime Minister at the age of 24, and maintained in office for 17 years (plus a further two years in his second administration). The result was that Fox enjoyed only three very short periods as Foreign Minister, and was effectively Leader of the Opposition for a record 23 years. But he did achieve a late triumph when, following the death of Pitt, he became the dominant member of the `Government of All the Talents' and lived long enough to be able to introduce the bill which abolished the slave trade. Featuring a wide cast of characters, this book sheds new light on the political landscape of Georgian England and two of the leading political players of the age. Contents List of Illustrations Preface Authors’ Note The Grenville and Pitt Families The Fox and Lennox Families The House of Hanover 1. The Parliamentary Cockpit 2. Fathers and Sons 3. Charles James Fox: Early Life, 1749–74 4. The Early Career of Pitt the Younger: A Chip off the Old Block? 5. The Third Man: A Stubborn and Determined Monarch 6. From Tory to Whig 7. Peace with Americ 8. The Fox–North Coalition and the King’s ‘Coup d’État’ 9. The ‘Mince-Pie’ Government 10. The Young Reformer 11. The Regency Crisis 12. The French Revolution and Foreign Relations 13. The Younger Pitt as War Leader 14. Union and Resignation 15. The Addington Interlude 16. Return and Death 17. Fox’s ‘Last Hurrah’ … and Final Disappointment 18. The Long Aftermath Notes Select Bibliography Appendix I: Extract from Pitt’s speech against the formation of the Fox–North coalition, 21 February Appendix II: Speech of Charles James Fox on 10 June 1806 Image Section Index