Thomas Pelham-Holles, 1st Duke of Newcastle

His Grace the Duke of Newcastle

Thomas Pelham-HollesKGPCFRS(21 July 1693 – 17 November 1768) was 1st Duke ofNewcastle upon Tyneand 1st Duke ofNewcastle-under-Lyme.He was a BritishWhigstatesman, and the thirdPrime Minister.He was Prime Minister for two separate terms. He is commonly known as theDuke of Newcastle.

His official life extended throughout the Whig supremacy of the18th century. He was aprotégéof SirRobert Walpole,and served under him for more than 20 years until 1742. He held power with his brother, Prime MinisterHenry Pelham,until 1754. By then he had served as aSecretary of Statecontinuously for 30 years and dominated British foreign policy.

After Henry's death, the Duke of Newcastle was prime minister for six years in two separate periods. His first premiership (1754–1756) was not particularly notable: Newcastle partly caused theSeven Years' War,and his weakdiplomacycost him the premiership.After his second term (1757–1762), he served briefly inLord Rockingham's ministry, before he retired from government. He was most effective as a deputy to a leader of greater ability, such as Walpole, his brother, orWilliam Pitt the Elder.