Family and Education

b. c.1728, 4th s. of George Pitt (d. 1745), M.P., of Strathfieldsaye, and bro. of George Pitt (d.1803) of Strathfieldsaye.  m. 21 June 1763, Mary, da. of Emanuel Scrope Howe, 2nd Visct. Howe [I], M.P., s.p.  cr. K.B. 15 Aug. 1792.

Offices Held

Lt.-col. 59 Ft. 1755; lt.-col. 10 Drag. 1759; col. army 1762; col. 12 Drag. 1770-5; maj.-gen. 1770; col. 3 Horse 1775- d.; lt.-gen. 1777; c.-in-c. Ireland 1784-91; gen. 1793; gov. Portsmouth 1794- d.

Biography

In 1754 Pitt and his uncle, John Pitt, stood at Wareham against the Draxes of Charborough; after a double return a compromise was arranged by Newcastle, and William Augustus Pitt was returned. In 1761 he gave up his seat to John Pitt, and did not stand again for Parliament.

When on 21 Oct. 1770, George III appointed him colonel of the 12th Dragoons, the King wrote to North that Pitt’s ‘meritorious conduct will make his appointment very creditable, besides he has long had reason to expect such a mark of my favour’.1

Pitt died 29 Dec. 1809.

Ref Volumes: 1754-1790

Author: Mary M. Drummond

Notes

• 1. Fortescue, ii. 165.