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British Prime Ministers


Leader of Her Majesty's Government, the Prime Minister is responsible for policy and decision making of the government. A key figure in the House of Commons, appointing members of the government and administering the Civil Service and government agencies. The prime Minister is the leader of the political party that holds the largest number of seats in the chamber and appointed by the Queen under constitutional conventions. The role was not established by constitutional document but instead has evolved over the past 300 years. The overthrow of King James II during the Revolution of 1688 created a shift in the power dynamic and resulted in monarchs becoming more dependent on parliament. Robert Walpole is cited as the first modern Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury. By 1805 the Times newspaper began to use the term Prime Minister and it was used in parliamentary debates. By 1918 the Prime Minster had the authority to request dissolution of Parliament by the monarch to trigger a general election. In the same year, 10 Downing Street became the official residence.

George Grenville

George Grenville

1712-1770
Prime Minister
Sitter in 5 portraits
Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey

Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey

1764-1845
Prime Minister
Sitter associated with 190 portraits
Frederick North, 2nd Earl of Guilford

Frederick North, 2nd Earl of Guilford

1732-1792
Prime Minister
Sitter associated with 64 portraits
Sir Edward Heath

Sir Edward Heath

1916-2005
Prime Minister
Sitter in 62 portraits
Alec Douglas-Home

Alec Douglas-Home

1903-1995
Prime Minister
Sitter in 36 portraits
Boris Johnson

Boris Johnson

1964-
Prime Minister
Sitter in 3 portraits
William Petty, 1st Marquess of Lansdowne

William Petty, 1st Marquess of Lansdowne

1737-1805
Prime Minister and patron of the arts
Sitter associated with 68 portraits
Bonar Law

Bonar Law

1858-1923
Prime Minister and businessman
Sitter in 27 portraits
Robert Banks Jenkinson, 2nd Earl of Liverpool

Robert Banks Jenkinson, 2nd Earl of Liverpool

1770-1828
Prime Minister
Sitter associated with 59 portraits
David Lloyd George

David Lloyd George

1863-1945
Prime Minister
Sitter associated with 134 portraits
Ramsay MacDonald

Ramsay MacDonald

1866-1937
Prime Minister
Sitter associated with 72 portraits
John Major

John Major

1943-
Prime Minister
Sitter in 15 portraits
Theresa May

Theresa May

1956-
Prime Minister
Sitter in 3 portraits
William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne

William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne

1779-1848
Prime Minister
Sitter associated with 159 portraits
Sir Robert Peel, 2nd Bt

Sir Robert Peel, 2nd Bt

1788-1850
Prime Minister
Sitter associated with 323 portraits
Henry Pelham

Henry Pelham

1695?-1754
Prime Minister
Sitter in 6 portraits