The Life of Thomas Pitt

Originally published in 1915, this book contains the biography of Thomas Pitt, the grandfather of William Pitt the Elder.

Cornelius Neale Dalton (Author)

9781107643857, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 4 December 2014

642 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 3.6 cm, 0.93 kg

Originally published in 1915, this book contains the biography of Thomas Pitt, the grandfather of William Pitt the Elder and owner of the famous Pitt Diamond, now known as the Regent Diamond and in the collection of the Louvre Museum. Sir Cornelius Neale Dalton focuses mostly on Pitt's time as Governor of Madras, but also addresses his role in the Hanoverian succession and his youthful adventures. This book will be of value to anyone with an interest in the colonial history of India or in late Stuart government.

1. The Dorset Pitt family
2. Early days in India
3. The interlopers' triumph
4. A set back to interloping
5. Ten years in England
6. Pitt's last interloping adventure
7. Appointed Governor of Fort St George
8. Fort St George
9. The New East India Company
10. The embassy to the Great Mogul
11. The end of the embassy
12. Daud Khan
13. The blockade of Fort St George
14. The Great Diamond leaves India
15. The union of the two companies
16. The Great Diamond in England
17. Official worries begin
18. Further official troubles
19. The right and left hand castes
20. Negotiations with the mogul
21. Last days at Fort St George
22. The Governor's deposition
23. Conjugal estrangement
24. Robert Pitt
25. The Governor's return to England
26. Starting life again at home
27. Family and political discords
28. The Hanoverian succession
29. The Governorship of Jamaica
30. The sale of the Great Diamond
31. Declining years and death
32. His character
Index.

Subject Areas: British & Irish history [HBJD1]