People of Note
Charles Watson-Wentworth (1730–1782)
Prime Minister of Great Britain from July 1765 to July 1766 and from March to July 1782. He led the parliamentary group known as Rockingham Whigs, which opposed Britain's war (1775–83) against its colonists in North America.
Charles Watson-Wentworth, second Marquis of Rockingham was born on 13 May 1730. He was fifth and only surviving son of Thomas Watson-Wentworth, Marquis of Rockingham, by Mary, daughter of Daniel Finch, second earl of Nottingham. He descended from Sir Lewis Watson, first baron Rockingham. His grandfather, Thomas Watson, third son of Edward Watson, second baron Rockingham, by Anne, first daughter of Thomas Wentworth, first Earl of Strafford inherited the Wentworth estates, and assumed the additional surname of Wentworth. His father was created on 28 May 1728 Baron Wentworth of Malton, Yorkshire, and on 19 Nov. 1734 Baron of Harrowden, and Viscount Higham of Higham Ferrers, Northamptonshire, and Baron of Wath and Earl of Malton, Yorkshire - succeeded to the barony of Rockingham on the death (26 Feb. 1745–6) of his cousin, Thomas Watson, third Earl of Rockingham - the earldom and associated honours, except the barony, then becoming extinct - and was created on 19 April 1746 Marquis of Rockingham.
Charles Watson-Wentworth, styled in his father's lifetime Viscount Higham and Earl of Malton, was educated at Westminster School and St. John's College, Cambridge. He was created on 17 Sept. 1750 an Irish peer by the titles of Baron and Earl of Malton, co. Wicklow, and on the death of his father on 14 Dec. the same year succeeded to all his honours.
He took his seat in the House of Lords on 21 May 1751, and in the following July was appointed Lord-Lieutenant of the North and East Ridings of Yorkshire. He was elected F.R.S. on 7 Nov. 1751, and F.S.A. on 13 Feb. 1752. On 27 Feb. 1755 he was appointed Vice-Admiral of Yorkshire. He restored peace after the food riots in Sheffield in 1756.He was installed K.G. on 6 May 1760, and on the accession of George III continued in the office of Lord of the bedchamber, which he had held since 1751. In 1763 he was appointed (14 April) trustee of Westminster school and (11 Oct.) governor of the Charterhouse; in 1766 (7 April) high steward of Hull.
His marriage in 1752 to Mary Bright (1735 - 1804)- the daughter and heir, of Thomas Bright of Badsworth , brought a fortune of £60,000 to the family.
Rockingham was the party leader of the Whigs under Newcastle, and became first lord of the treasury (prime minister) in July 1765 following Grenville's resignation.
Rockingham's government was responsible for the repeal of the Stamp Act in February, 1766
Rockingham again served as prime minister, in 1782. He opened peace negotiations with the Americans, championed independence for the Irish parliament and was beginning a process of reform based on Edmund Burke's "economical" ideas ( reduction of administrative waste and the elimination of sinecures) when he died suddenly in July of 1782.
Rockingham was buried on 20th July in the choir of York Minster. By his wife Mary , he left no issue. His honours became extinct. His estates devolved upon his nephew, William Wentworth Fitzwilliam, second Earl Fitzwilliam, his sister Anne's son, It was Fitzwilliam who, in 1826, as its patron, had the local Swinton Pottery works renamed after his uncle, who is therefore commemorated in the china known as Rockingham ware.
The mausoleum at Wentworth Park contains his statue by Nollekens, the pedestal inscribed with his eulogy by Burke
Source: Oxford DNB 1899
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