William Pitt the Younger (28 May 1759 – 23 January 1806) was a British statesman and politician who served as the Prime Minister of Great Britain from 1783 to 1801 and again from 1804 until his death in 1806. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest Prime Ministers in British history and is known for his leadership during a time of great political and social change in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Early Life and Career William Pitt was born in Hayes, Kent, England, the second son of William Pitt the Elder, also a prominent British politician who served as Prime Minister from 1766 to 1768. Pitt received his education at Cambridge University, where he excelled academically and developed a strong interest in politics. In 1781, at the age of 21, he was elected to the House of Commons as a member of the Whig Party. Pitt quickly established himself as a talented orator and politician, and his intelligence and wit earned him the nickname "the Younger." He quickly rose through the ranks of the Whig Party and was appointed as Chancellor of the Exchequer in 1782, at the age of just 23. However, he fell out with his Whig colleagues over a proposal to reform the parliamentary representation of a number of boroughs, and he resigned from his post. Prime Minister In 1783, Pitt was asked by King George III to form a government, and he became the youngest Prime Minister in British history at the age of 24. He inherited a country in a state of crisis, with a large national debt and a struggling economy. Pitt's first priority was to reduce the national debt, which he did through a combination of tax reform and spending cuts. Pitt was also a strong advocate of free trade and worked to promote British commerce and industry. He lowered tariffs on imported goods and abolished restrictions on exports, which helped to stimulate economic growth and create new job opportunities. His efforts to modernize the British economy earned him the nickname "the Great Commoner." Pitt's government also played a key role in the war against Revolutionary France, which began in 1793. He was a strong supporter of the coalition of European powers that opposed France, and his government provided financial and military assistance to the allies. However, the war proved to be a costly and protracted conflict, and many British citizens grew tired of the conflict and its economic and social impact. Despite his achievements as Prime Minister, Pitt faced a number of challenges during his tenure. He struggled to maintain his majority in Parliament, and he faced strong opposition from the Whig Party, led by Charles James Fox. He also had to deal with the personal and political instability of King George III, who suffered from a mental illness that made it difficult for him to govern effectively. Resignation and Return to Office In 1801, Pitt resigned as Prime Minister due to disagreements with the King over Catholic Emancipation. He was replaced by Henry Addington, but he remained active in politics and continued to speak out on issues such as parliamentary reform and the abolition of slavery. In 1804, Pitt was asked once again to form a government, and he returned to office as Prime Minister. However, his second tenure was short-lived, as he became seriously ill in 1805 and was unable to perform his duties effectively. He died on 23 January 1806, at the age of 46. Legacy William Pitt the Younger is remembered today as one of the most important political figures of his era. His reforms helped to modernize the British state and to promote economic growth, and his advocacy of military power helped to secure Britain's position as a major global power. Despite his achievements, however, Pitt's legacy is somewhat mixed. He was criticized by some for his handling of the war against France, and his opposition to Catholic emancipation has been debated.