1712-1770. British Whig politician whose
introduction of the the Stamp Act 1765 to
raise revenue from the colonies was one of
the causes of the American Revolution. Prime
minister and chancellor of the Exchequer
1763-65, Grenville took other measures to
reduce the military and civil costs in North
America, including the Sugar Act and the
Quartering Act. His inept management of the
Regency Act 1765 damaged his relationship
with George III. His government was also
responsible for prosecuting the radical John
Wilkes.