The election also buttressed Pitt’s preferred stance as an independent politician by freeing him from association with Lowther: Pitt won the University of Cambridge’s seat in the House of Commons. When, in December 1783, George III dismissed the Fox-North ministry that had succeeded Shelburne’s government, it was to the 24-year-old Pitt that the king turned to serve as both Prime Minister and Chancellor, endorsed by the outcome of a general election held early in 1784, which belied opponents’ characterisations of the youthful premier as a royal puppet. In 1782 he was appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer (then a relatively minor post) in Lord Shelburne’s administration. Unable to afford the expense of standing for Parliament (his finances remained a source of insecurity throughout his life), he was only able to embark on a political career through the influence of Sir James Lowther, who secured his election as MP for Appleby in 1781. He matriculated at Pembroke College, Cambridge at the age of 14, and later proceeded to Lincoln’s Inn to study law. William Pitt (the younger) was born on at Hayes Place, Kent, the second son of William Pitt (the elder), later 1st Earl of Chatham and himself Prime Minister. William Pitt (the younger), Government Art Collection
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