Frederick North, 2nd Earl of Guilford (1732-1792), Prime Minister

Sitter associated with 63 portraits
A skilled statesman and Prime Minister at the age of 37, North was placed in office by George III to contend with the mounting crisis in the American colonies. His imposition of the Tea Tax and other repressive measures against the colonists lead to the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Despite his wish to resign when the war turned against Britain, the King kept him in office; afterwards he claimed to have felt more the agent of the King than a responsible adviser.