Charles Watson-Wentworth, 2nd Marquess of Rockingham Guide, Meaning , Facts, Information and Description
| Periods in Office: | 13 July 1765 - 30 July 1766 27 March 1782 - 1 July 1782 |
| PM Predecessor: | George Grenville Lord North |
| PM Successor: | William Pitt the Elder Lord Shelburne |
| Date of Birth: | 13 May 1730 |
| Place of Birth: | South Yorkshire, England |
| Political Party: | Whig |
Charles Watson-Wentworth, 2nd Marquess of Rockingham (May 13, 1730 -July 1, 1782), was an English politician, member of the Whig party, and twice Prime Minister of Great Britain.
A descendant of Thomas Wentworth, Charles was brought up at the family home of Wentworth Woodhouse near Rotherham in South Yorkshire. He was educated at Eton College and Cambridge University.
He took his seat in the House of Lords in 1751, following a brief period of military service, and in 1765 was appointed as Prime Minister by King George III following the resignation of George Grenville. During his term of office, he repealed the recent Stamp Act, and so reduced the tax burden on the colonies. However, internal dissent within the cabinet led to his replacement by Lord Chatham.
Rockingham spent the next sixteen years in opposition. He was a keen supporter of constitutional rights for colonists, and backed the claim for Americann independence. In 1782 he was appointed PM for a second time, and on taking office, acknowledged the independence of the United States, initiating an end to British involvement in the American Revolutionary War. He died 14 weeks later. Rockingham County, New Hampshire and Rockingham County, Virginia in the United States are named in his honour.
Rockingham's First Government, July 1765 - July 1766
Rockingham's Second Government, March - July 1782
| Preceded by: George Grenville | Prime Minister of Great Britain 1765-1766 | Followed by: The Earl of Chatham |
| Preceded by: Lord North | Prime Minister of Great Britain 1782 | Followed by: The Earl of Shelburne |
| Preceded by: Thomas Watson-Wentworth | Marquess of Rockingham | Followed by: Extinct |
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