Robert Walpole

The Rt. Hon. Robert Walpole, 1st Earl of Orford, KG, GCB, (26 August 1676–18 March 1745), nickname "Cock Robin," was a British Whig statesman who is generally regarded as having been the first Prime Minister of Great Britain. The position of Prime Minister had no official recognition in law, but Walpole is nevertheless acknowledged as having held the de facto office due to the extent of his influence in the Cabinet.

Legacy

Walpole's influence on the politics of his day was tremendous. The Tories became a minor, insignificant faction, and the Whigs became a dominant and largely unopposed party. His influence on the development of the uncodified constitution of Great Britain, however, was much less momentous, even though he is regarded as Great Britain's first Prime Minister. He relied primarily on the favour of the King, rather than on the support of the House of Commons. His power stemmed from his personal influence instead of the influence of his office. Most of his immediate successors were, comparatively speaking, extremely weak; it would take several decades more for the premiership to develop into the most powerful and most important office in the country.

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Walpole's strategy of keeping Great Britain at peace contributed greatly to the country's prosperity. Walpole also managed to secure the position of the Hanoverian Dynasty, and effectively countervailed Jacobitism. The Jacobite threat was effectively put to rest, soon after Walpole's term ended, with the defeat of the rebellion of 1745.

Related Topics:
Hanoverian Dynasty - Rebellion of 1745

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Another part of Walpole's legacy is 10 Downing Street. George II offered this home to Walpole as a personal gift in 1732, but Walpole accepted it only as the official residence of the First Lord of the Treasury, taking up his residence there in 1735. His immediate successors did not always reside in Number 10 (preferring their larger private residences), but the home has nevertheless become established as the official residence of the Prime Minister (in his or her capacity as First Lord of the Treasury).

Related Topics:
10 Downing Street - 1732 - 1735

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Walpole also left behind a famous collection of art which he had assembled during his career. This collection was sold by his grandson, the 3rd Earl of Orford, to the Russian Empress Catherine II in 1779. This collection—which was regarded as one of the finest in Europe—now lies in the State Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg, Russia.

Related Topics:
Catherine II - 1779 - State Hermitage Museum - Saint Petersburg

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The nursery rhyme, "Who Killed Cock Robin?" is said to be an alusion to the fall of Walpole (Oxford Dictionary of Nursery Rhymes ISBN 0198600887).

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