William Pitt the Elder, commonly known as William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham, PC, FRS (15 November 1708 – 11 May 1778), was a Whig politician who served as the 10th Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1766 to 1768. Historians refer to him as Chatham or William Pitt the Elder to distinguish him from his son, also a prime minister, William Pitt the Younger. Pitt was also known as the Great Commoner because he refused to accept a title until 1766.
About Wickwar
Founded in 1773 , by Joseph & William Wickwar , Wickwar started as a luxury paper mill outside Newbury . In 1786 HMSO was founded and Joseph Wickwar won the contract to supply paper to Parliament .
In 1788 Joseph partnered with Joseph Bramah to produce luxury Despatch boxes for Royalty & Government and went on to produce in excess of 5,000 boxes and became the premier supplier of the Iconic red box .
The simple design of the famous Gladstone Box continues today & Wickwar manufacturers around 100 boxes per year using traditional skills & tools from its workshop in London .
