William Petty, 2nd Earl Of Shelburne

William Petty Fitzmaurice, 1st Marquess of Lansdowne (2 May 1737 – 7 May 1805), was an Anglo-Irish statesman notable for serving as the first Home Secretary in 1782 and as Prime Minister from 1782 to 1783. Known during much of his life by the title Earl of Shelburne, he played a significant role during the final months of the American War of Independence by negotiating peace with the United States.

Born in Dublin, William Fitzmaurice was the eldest son of John Fitzmaurice, the second surviving son of the 1st Earl of Kerry. His mother was Anne Petty, daughter of Sir William Petty, Surveyor General of Ireland. The Petty family titles and estates descended through the Petty line, with the family name being changed from Fitzmaurice to Petty after his grandfather, Lord Kerry, died. His grandfather's death occurred when Fitzmaurice was four years old, after which he was raised in Ireland, often recalling childhood memories of a stern family environment.

Fitzmaurice entered Christ Church, Oxford, in 1755, where he acknowledged having much to learn and unlearn. His early education was supplemented by a tutor whose guidance he considered narrow-minded, but he attributed his improvement to associations with influential connections. After completing his studies, he served in the British Army during the Seven Years' War, initially with the 20th Foot regiment commanded by James Wolfe. His military service included participation in the amphibious Raid on Rochefort in 1757 and battles at Minden and Kloster-Kampen in 1758.

Following his military experiences, Fitzmaurice was appointed aide-de-camp to King George III, a position that promoted him to colonel. This appointment was somewhat controversial within government circles due to its implications for military seniority. Meanwhile, he entered politics, becoming a Member of Parliament for Wycombe in 1760. In 1761, he succeeded to his father's Irish and British peerages, becoming the second Earl of Shelburne and thus vacating his House of Commons seat to sit in the House of Lords. He also became a member of the Irish House of Lords in 1764.

Shelburne was engaged deeply with economic policy, advocating for free trade and engaging with notable economists of his time, including Benjamin Franklin and David Hume. He traveled to Paris and discussed economic ideas directly with French intellectuals. His interest in economics was influenced by long-standing familial connections to William Petty, a pioneer of quantitative economics. Shelburne's conversion to free trade principles was notably influenced by conversations with Adam Smith, which he later recounted as transformative.

In his political career, Shelburne held several significant offices. He was appointed Southern Secretary in 1766 but was dismissed in 1768 amid disagreements over policies toward America, particularly during the Corsican Crisis. His political associations shifted over time, and he initially opposed William Pitt but later admired him.

In 1782, Shelburne was appointed Prime Minister after Lord Rockingham’s death, during a period when the American War was ongoing. His government managed to establish peace with the United States, a key achievement in his career. Nevertheless, he lost influence in 1783 and was driven out of office at the age of 45. He expressed regret over his career, attributing some of his political difficulties to the influence of unpopular but talented connections and to incomplete formal education, despite his proven abilities as a debater and statesman.

William Petty Fitzmaurice held numerous high offices over 17 years but ultimately regarded his career as somewhat unsuccessful. He was created Marquess of Lansdowne during his lifetime. He died in 1805.