William Hague on William Pitt

A lecture commemorating the 250th anniversary of the birth of William Pitt in 1795, and 425 years of continuous printing and publishing at Cambridge University Press.

[@WORLD8NSH5KNIGHT1]

I am tired of films about our Royals. We need more big feature films about great PMs like Pitt the Younger. I know there was one on Thatcher, but our early PMs have largely been forgotten.

[@Tanya-fp2ii]

Fantastic to listen to. I love William Hague's humour and his superb, structured delivery. I have read the book which is the in-depth version of this talk, and it is extremely well-written and thought-provoking. Thank you Mr Hague!

[@angied8919]

One of the greatest Prime Ministers in history, thank you for this enjoyable and informative talk Mr Hague. I've read the book, it was a great read. It's a real pity that eighteenth century British politics is largely overlooked in school curriculums, a lot of significant constitutional developments took place then, and some of the most interesting political characters flourished.

[@talha389]

A very eloquent speech regarding a historic giant of British politics. Hague delivers a sophisticated evaluation of William Pitt 'the Youngers' life achievements and projects his energetic fascination of an extroadinary young statesman. By detailing the historical plot points of this 'independent Whig's' successes, failures and legacy, Hague cements a legacy of his own- the spitting image of the British youth googling the name William Pitt.

[@richtea615]

Fantastic! Ever since I saw Pitt depicted in Blackadder I've been curious about him. Now that I've seen this I'm even more enthused! Thanks for the upload.

[@parrychell]

I have read a lot of original texts on Pitt, but maybe Phillip Henry Stanhope gives an account of his grave stone? I've also read the Lord Lytton's version in which (although its been so long!) it was mentioned.

[@TransliteratedJumble]

“I rejoice that America has resisted. Three millions of people, so dead to all the feelings of liberty, as voluntarily to submit to be slaves, would have been fit instruments to make slaves of the rest.” - From a speech in the House of Commons: January 14, 1766 by William Pitt, Earl of Chatham [1708-1778]

[@jerebuck]

Good.

[@parrychell]

Pitt the younger is my absolute hero. Youngest prime minister ever who fought against incredible odds. Not only was he homosexual, but an absolute genius who fought FOR American independence and was an integral in the abolition of the slave trade in England and Europe as well as aggressively fighting for other progressive social reforms.... erm, though he did introduce income tax. Still can't win it all! He was highly comedic. A well known absolutely hilarious funny man as well as an acutely shy individual.

[@ninxoon30]

I think the most interesting part of William Pitt the younger, was in FACT, he remained single ALL his life. Why? I know from my own research, there was loads of women after him, even Jane Austen's own cousin-Eliza De Feuillide. Was he Gay? Was he Asexual?(a code word for Gay) And if YES, how did he managed to hide his sexual liaisons??