North, Lord (1732-1792), Frederick, Earl of Guilford, served as prime minister of Great Britain (now also called the United Kingdom) from 1770 to 1782. His treatment of the American Colonies helped bring on the American Revolution (1775-1783).
North managed the House of Commons in the interests of the king, George III (see George III ). Even when he disagreed with the king’s policy, he did not oppose it. He supported the tea tax that became one of the causes of the American Revolution (see Boston Tea Party ). As the war went on, North’s administration became increasingly disorganized and demoralized. In 1782, he persuaded the king to accept his resignation. In 1783, he became joint secretary of state with Charles Fox but resigned after only nine months (see Fox, Charles J. ).
Frederick North was born on April 13, 1732, in London and attended Eton College and Oxford University. In 1754, his father had him elected to Parliament from a family-owned “pocket borough.” He later served in the Treasury and the Privy Council. He became chancellor of the exchequer and leader of the House of Commons in 1767. He died in London on Aug. 5, 1792.
