Dowdeswell, William, 1721-1775

English politician.

Epithet: politician

Epithet: MP

English politician-chancellor of the exchequer, etc.

British politician, William Dowdeswell (1721-1785), was the son of William Dowdeswell (1682--1728), landowner and politician, and Amy Hammond (d. 1728). He attended Westminster School, Oxford University, and the University of Leiden. In 1747, he married Bridget Codrington; they had 13 children. Between 1747 and 1754, Dowdeswell was the MP for Tewkesbury. For the next 6 years, Dowdeswell acted as a strategist and advisor for the Rockingham Whigs. He re-entered Parliament for Worcestershire in 1761 and held that seat, uncontested, until his death.

Throughout his political career, financial issues deeply interested Dowdeswell. He was a vocal advocate for the reduction of the army and navy, and gained prominence as an outspoken opponent of the Cider Tax in 1763. Dowdeswell warned of the inherent danger in the Townshend Duties, predicting American resistance to any duty for revenue purposes, yet believed Great Britain would lose sovereignty over the colonies if it did not maintain its right of taxation. When Lord Rockingham became prime minister in 1765, Dowdeswell was appointed chancellor of the exchequer. He remained loyal to Rockingham when William Pitt, 1st earl of Chatham, took over as prime minister in 1766, and he helped formulate policies that unified the Rockinghams during their years in opposition. Dowdeswell became Rockingham's principal spokesman in the House of Commons, and was his close friend and adviser.

Dowdeswell's health faltered in 1774 and, at his doctor's recommendation, he traveled to Nice, France, to recover. He died there in February 1775.