Item 30: Signature from the First Prime Minister of Great Britain, Robert Walpole, 1736
Item — Box: 2, Folder: 30
Dates
- Created: 1736
Creator
Disclaimer for Name and Subject Authorities
Some of the name and subject authority tags have been assigned by educated guessing and estimation of persons and subjects by region, age, profession, and familial relationships. They have been thoroughly researched by using primary and secondary sources available digitally, and named in each description, or in some cases linked directly to the person tag.
Access:
All series and subseries within this collection are open for research, with the exception of a few files within the Academia series that are restricted. The Academia series contains financial and sensitive institutional records from Wilkes College, and financial report records from Princeton University that will remain restricted for 80 years upon creation.
Extent
1 items
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Type of Material:
Signature
Condition Note:
Fair: Creases and stains, but legible writing; document is partially cut off
Measurements: 4 ⅝ in. x 3 ½ in.
Measurements:
4 ⅝ in. x 3 ½ in.
Description:
The following item is part of an official document containing the signature of Robert Walpole, the first Prime Minister of Great Britain, signed in the Palace of Whitehall in 1736. This document was countersigned by George Oxenden and George Dodington, both of whom served in the House of Commons during Walpole’s office. Walpole is best known for serving as the First Lord of the Treasury from 1721-1742 during which he effectively led the Cabinet for which he is currently recognized as being the first Prime Minister. He is well known for his financial prowess and peaceful foreign policy, but he is most famous for his efforts to shift Britain to a more constitutional monarchy and solidifying the Whig party. Dodington is best known for possibly serving in a spy-ring to infiltrate and report upon the supporters of Jacobitism, the belief that the Stuart House should reassume the throne. Dodington was a well-educated politician who eventually earned enough titles and lands to be considered one of the wealthiest British citizens of his time. He was affluent enough to give loans to Prince Frederick of Wales and when George II was dismissed from the royal palace by his father, Dodington provided him with temporary lodging. Oxenden was a member of the Oxenden Baronetcy of Dene and served as a Lord of Admiralty, a Lord of Treasury, and the Member of Parliament of Sandwich in his lifetime. He was involved in several scandals and had a quite negative reputation, according to John Perceval, First Lord of Egmont. According to the British History of Parliament, Oxenden was well-favored in the court until he had an affair with Perceval’s sister-in-law. Two years later, Oxenden had an affair and two children with his wife’s sister and according to Perceval, the only thing keeping him out of jail was his position in Parliament. After being dismissed from duties, he spent the rest of his life in debauchery and debt, according to Perceval. Another document from 1732 contains the signatures of Robert Walpole and George Oxenden. Another 18th century document contains the signature of Goerge Dodington.
Location:
Palace of Whitehall
Transcription:
[cut off] Lordship’s Warrant Whitehall
1736 133[Written in pencil; possibly archivist’s notes]
Walpole [Signature] Geo: Dodington [Signature] Bubb Dodington [written in pencil, possible archivist’s notes] Sir[written in pencil, possible archivist’s notes] Geo Oxenden [Signature]
Walpole [Signature] Geo: Dodington [Signature] Bubb Dodington [written in pencil, possible archivist’s notes] Sir[written in pencil, possible archivist’s notes] Geo Oxenden [Signature]
Creator
Repository Details
Part of the Wilkes University Archives Repository
Contact:
84 W South St.
Wilkes-Barre PA 18701 US
570-408-2000
570-408-7823 (Fax)
ask.archives@wilkes.edu
84 W South St.
Wilkes-Barre PA 18701 US
570-408-2000
570-408-7823 (Fax)
ask.archives@wilkes.edu