Editing William Pitt the Younger (section)

==Early life==
=== Family ===

{{see also|Pitt family}}

William Pitt, the second son of [[William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham]], was born on 28 May 1759 at Hayes Place in the village of [[Hayes, Bromley|Hayes]], [[Kent]].{{sfn|Hague|2005|p=14}} He was from a political family on both sides, as his mother, [[Hester Pitt, Countess of Chatham|Hester Grenville]], was sister of former prime minister [[George Grenville]].{{sfn|Hague|2005|p=19}} According to biographer [[John Ehrman]], Pitt exhibited the brilliance and dynamism of his father's line, and the determined, methodical nature of the Grenvilles.{{sfn|Ehrman|1969|loc=Vol. 1|p=4}}

=== Education ===
Suffering from occasional poor health as a boy, he was educated at home by the Reverend Edward Wilson. An intelligent child, Pitt quickly became proficient in [[Latin]] and [[Greek language|Greek]]. He was admitted to [[Pembroke College, Cambridge]], on 26 April 1773,<ref>{{acad|id=PT773W|name=Pitt, the Hon. William}}</ref> a month before turning fourteen, going up to Cambridge in October 1773.{{sfn|Hague|2005|p=24}} He studied political philosophy, [[classics]], mathematics, [[trigonometry]], [[chemistry]] and history.<ref>[http://www.historyhome.co.uk/pms/pitt.htm William Pitt the Younger (1759–1806)] HistoryHome.co.uk</ref> At Cambridge, Pitt was tutored by [[George Pretyman]], who became a close personal friend and looked after Pitt whilst at University.<ref>Alter 'Pitt' Volume 1 (2024) ''pp''34-5</ref> Pitt later appointed Pretyman [[Bishop of Lincoln]], then [[Bishop of Winchester|Winchester]], and drew upon his advice throughout his political career.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://spartacus-educational.com/PRpitt.htm |title=Spartacus Educational – William Pitt |publisher=Spartacus-Educational.com |access-date=27 February 2019 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100412183802/http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/PRpitt.htm |archive-date=12 April 2010 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> While at Cambridge, he befriended the young [[William Wilberforce]], who became a lifelong friend and political ally in Parliament.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/wilberforce_william.shtml |title=History – William Wilberforce (1759–1833) |publisher=BBC |access-date=11 October 2010}}</ref> Pitt tended to socialise only with fellow students and others already known to him, rarely venturing outside the university grounds. Yet he was described as charming and friendly. According to Wilberforce, Pitt had an exceptional wit along with an endearingly gentle sense of humour: "no man ... ever indulged more freely or happily in that playful facetiousness which gratifies all without wounding any."{{sfn|Hague|2005|p=30}} An example of Pitt's innocent wit was recorded by Sir John Sinclair. In the early years' of Pitt's ministry there was great interest in the new young First minister. Sinclair was required to write an account of Pitt to satisfy foreign curiosity when he was abroad. At the end of a long description of Britain's eminent leader he added: ‘Of all the places where you have been, where did you fare best?’ My answer was, ‘In Poland; for the nobility live there with uncommon taste and splendour; their cooks are French,- their confectioners Italian, - and their wine Tokey.’ He immediately observed, ‘I have heard before of The Polish diet.’<ref>Alter 'Pitt' Volume 1 (2024) ''p''69</ref> 

In 1776, Pitt, plagued by poor health, took advantage of a little-used privilege available only to the sons of noblemen, and chose to graduate without having to pass examinations. Pitt's father was said to have insisted that his son spontaneously translate passages of classical literature orally into English, and declaim impromptu upon unfamiliar topics in an effort to develop his oratorical skills.{{sfn|Halcombe|1859|p=110}} Pitt's father, who had by then been raised to the peerage as Earl of Chatham, died in 1778. As the younger son, Pitt received only a small inheritance.In the months following the death of the Earl of Chatham, Pitt was forced to defend his father's reputation. This came about when the Bute family made claims that the late Lord had sought out the Earl of Bute with the desire to form a political coalition. Pitt although just over nineteen years of age publicly argued that this was not the case. Faced with Pitt's arguments the Bute family backed off and ceased making their claims. <ref>Alter 'Pitt' Volume 1 (2024) ''pp'' 43-6</ref>    He acquired his legal education at [[Lincoln's Inn]] and was [[called to the bar]] in the summer of 1780.{{sfn|Hague|2005|p=46}}