Biography of Henry Addington

Henry Addington was born in 1759 and later became a lawyer. His father was a doctor named Anthony Addington, who treated some important people including Lord Chatham and William Pitt. Addington received his education at Winchester School and Oxford University. While at Oxford, he became a lawyer. His career was largely controversial and there were some who disagreed with him.

Henry Addington

Unpopular prime minister

The unpopular prime minister Henry Addington had many supporters in the Commons. He helped the British government achieve the Treaty of Amiens in 1802, a peace treaty between the British and Napoleonic powers. The deal spelled the end of the Second Coalition in the French Revolutionary Wars. However, despite the treaty’s favourable terms, Addington refused to call off the war and instead conducted weak defensive hostilities. After a bitter fight, Addington and Pitt reconciled and Pitt appointed him as Lord President of the Council in 1805. He also insisted on a peerage, which prevented him from sitting with Pitt in the Commons.

The unpopular prime minister also made several mistakes while in office. First, he did not have the necessary experience as a prime minister. He was a country gentry and was opposed to Catholic Emancipation. Moreover, he also opposed the Reform Bill of 1832. He was not an experienced debater, and so the Commons was unsure of his conduct.

After his dismissal as Prime Minister, Addington was a minister of the crown in the Home Office. As Home Secretary, he counteracted the revolutionary opposition. The Six Acts of 1819 were passed during his tenure. This was during the period of the Peterloo Massacre. Addington remained in the Cabinet as Minister without Portfolio for two years. During his tenure, he also opposed the recognition of South American republics.

Addington was the only prime minister to serve under William Pitt, who had resigned in March of 1804. He was not popular with the populace. A number of his own party members turned against him.

Opposition to abolition of slavery

Henry Addington’s opposition to a new abolitionist bill was sparked by his personal views on slavery and the slave trade. He opposed the motion as amended because he felt that it was too soon to end the slave trade. He argued that abolition would lead to the continued trade of slaves and that it would be difficult for children to see the end of the trade. However, despite his opposition to the bill, it did pass through Parliament and eventually passed as a result.

Fearon’s threats against Wilberforce included a threat to publish an unknown salacious libel against Wilberforce. Addington and Richards acted as a middleman. The threats came just before Wilberforce took up the abolition of slavery.

While Pitt believed he was saving the country by resigning, the public regarded him as mad. However, Pitt hoped that the King would turn to Addington. Addington was elected to be Speaker of the United Parliament in 1801, and was a strong opponent of emancipation for Catholics.

As a result, the Grenville government abolished the slave trade in 1807, but Addington remained active in politics. He died in 1834 on his estate in Buckinghamshire. By the end of the century, the slave trade was abolished throughout the British Empire.

Opposition to Catholic emancipation

Henry Addington was a member of the Liberal Party and opposed Catholic Emancipation. After Pitt’s death he became Lord President of the Council of State and Home Secretary of Liverpool. In this position he countered revolutionary opposition by initiating repressive measures against radical agitators. Addington resigned from his post in 1821. In 1817 he suspended the Habeas Corpus Act. He was the architect of the famous ‘Six Acts’. He also opposed Catholic Emancipation and the Reform Bill.

Addington was a good friend of Pitt the Younger. In 1784 he was elected as Member of Parliament for Devizes in Wiltshire. Pitt later made Addington Speaker of the House and he served as Speaker of the House for eleven years. Addington was appointed Prime Minister and Chancellor of the Exchequer by King George III in 1801. During the same period, he remained opposed to Catholic Emancipation.

Henry Addington’s opposition to Catholic re-education was a cause of widespread public anger. The First Vatican Council endorsed Catholic emancipation in 1832, but this legislation failed to gain wide support. In 1844, Addington died at the age of 86 in London and was buried in St Mary the Virgin Mortlake. The South West Heritage Trust holds several Addington papers, both political and personal.

Addington was created Viscount Sidmouth after Pitt’s death. He served in Pitt’s final cabinet as Lord President of the Council in 1806. He also held several positions in the Ministry of All Talents, including Lord Privy Seal and Lord President.

Favorite reforms

In his biography, The Life and Correspondence of the Rt Hon Henry Addington, first Viscount Sidmouth, Pellew, G. reveals the man behind the reforms. He was one of the leading figures in British politics, and used his position to advance both social and political interests. This biography was published in three volumes in 1847.

His policies against the Catholic emancipation and abolition of slavery caused Pitt to step down from office and Addington was appointed prime minister. The policy riled the king and Addington agreed to remove Pitt as prime minister. However, Addington was not popular, and in 1804 a large number of his own party turned against him.

Henry Addington was born in 1759 and was the son of a prominent London physician. He studied law before deciding to enter politics. After graduating from Oxford University, he became a barrister. In 1784, he was returned to the Commons as MP for Devizes. In 1789, he was elected Speaker of the House of Commons. Pitt was very influential in his politics, and Addington was loyal to him.

As a prime minister, Addington implemented annual budgets and showed remarkable skill in forecasting revenue. He also consolidated the Sinking Funds and reduced the national debt. He also oversaw the Civil List and transferred responsibility for government department salaries to Parliament. He also promoted the status of the prime minister and secured an agreement with the king to consult him on major decisions. However, despite his many accomplishments as Prime Minister, Addington’s tenure as Home Secretary did not go as planned.

Influence of Pitt

Henry Addington’s political career was shaped by Pitt’s influence. As the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Addington had been promised a Cabinet position. Pitt obliged and he became Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster in 1805. The next year, Pitt appointed Addington Lord President of the Council. This appointment meant that the two men would no longer be sitting together in the Commons.

The War of the Seven Years’ War raged across Europe, and Pitt’s government delayed intervention. He was also concerned about the future of British Canada, which was divided into French Lower Canada and English Upper Canada. When Pitt was elected Prime Minister in 1790, he addressed the future of British Canada, and George III appointed him as Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports. Pitt also refused the Knighthood of the Garter, proposing instead to give it to his brother, the second Earl of Chatham.

Pitt’s influence on Henry Addington can be traced back to the early years of his life. As a student at Cambridge, Pitt had become close with Lord Camden, one of his peers. The two of them often attended parliament debates, and Pitt was probably consciously preparing himself for the role. He also met Charles James Fox, who would later become his political enemy. Pitt was also present during his father’s final speech in the House of Lords on 7 April 1778. He helped to carry the earl from the chamber.

Pitt also had influential relationships with Repton. The two men shared a common interest in architecture and gardening. Although Pitt and Repton were acquainted before meeting each other, their first meetings were very brief. The two men met at Woodley Lodge, a house located in Sonning, Berkshire. The two men exchanged quotations in Greek, French, and Latin. The two men were friendly and Repton was impressed by their friendship.