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John Stuart, 3rd Earl of Bute

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The Resume

    (May 25, 1713-March 10, 1792)
    Born in Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
    Prime Minister (May 26, 1762-April 8, 1763)
    Son-in-law of Lady Mary Wortley Montagu

Why he might be annoying:

    He became Prime Minister largely through his personal relationship with King George III.
    His dictate that the American colonies should pay for the cost of their own defense triggered a series of taxes and tax protests that culminated with the American Revolution.
    To pay for the recently concluded Seven Years War, he imposed a cider tax that was so unpopular it sparked riots in England.
    After his ministry ended, he continued to be a behind the scenes influence on King George II until the new Prime Minister, George Grenville, extracted a promise from the King to not seek Bute's counsel (1765).

Why he might not be annoying:

    He was King George III's tutor when the monarch was Prince of Wales.
    He was a patron of authors Samuel Johnson and Tobias Smollett and architect Robert Adam.
    He was a keen amateur botanist with three genera of flowering plants named after him.
    He endowed several chairs at the University of Edinburgh.
    He was elected first President of the Society or Antiquaries of Scotland (1780).

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 8 Votes: 75.00% Annoying