Twenty of the UK’s Prime Ministers were educated at Eton College. Many of the names are instantly recognisable. For each, we have some key facts and created a timeline of major events in their life; references have been added too. We hope that this helps you with your studies.
| 1 | Sir Robert Walpole | 1721–42 |
| 2 | John Stuart, 3rd Earl of Bute | 1762–63 |
| 3 | George Grenville | 1763–65 |
| 4 | William Pitt the Elder, Earl of Chatham | 1766–68 |
| 5 | Frederick North, Lord North | 1770–82 |
| 6 | William Grenville, 1st Baron Grenville | 1806–07 |
| 7 | George Canning | 1827 |
| 8 | Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington | 1828–30, 1834 |
| 9 | Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey | 1830–34 |
| 10 | William Lamb, Viscount Melbourne | 1834, 1835–41 |
| 11 | Edward Smith-Stanley, 14th Earl of Derby | 1852, 1858–59, 1866–68 |
| 12 | William Ewart Gladstone | 1868–74, 1880–85, 1886, 1892–94 |
| 13 | Robert Gascoyne-Cecil, 3rd Marquess of Salisbury | 1885–86, 1886–92, 1895–1902 |
| 14 | Archibald Primrose, Earl of Rosebery | 1894–95 |
| 15 | Arthur James Balfour | 1902–05 |
| 16 | Anthony Eden | 1955–57 |
| 17 | Harold Macmillan, 1st Earl of Stockton | 1957–63 |
| 18 | Alec Douglas-Home, Earl of Home | 1963–64 |
| 19 | David Cameron | 2010–16 |
| 20 | Boris Johnson | 2019–22 |
As well as UK Prime Ministers, several household names have been educated at Eton College including: Tom Hiddleston, Damian Lewis, Eddie Redmayne, Hugh Laurie and Bear Grylls. And of course royalty too, including the Princes William and Harry.
Explore the Prime Ministers
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Sir Robert Walpole
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Robert Walpole, Britain’s first de facto Prime Minister, served from 1721 to 1742, overseeing political stability and economic growth.
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John Stuart
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John Stuart, 3rd Earl of Bute, was a controversial Prime Minister, noted for his brief tenure and connections to King George III.
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George Grenville
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George Grenville, a Whig politician and Prime Minister, implemented the controversial Stamp Act, influencing the American Revolution.
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William Pitt the Elder
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William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham, was a significant Whig leader, famed for his role during the Seven Years’ War.
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Lord Frederick North
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Frederick North, 2nd Earl of Guilford, was Prime Minister during the American Revolutionary War, resigning in 1782 after defeats.
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William Wyndham Grenville, 1st Baron Grenville
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William Wyndham Grenville, 1st Baron Grenville, was a significant Whig politician and Prime Minister who abolished the slave trade.
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George Canning
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George Canning, a Tory Prime Minister for 119 days, promoted liberal policies and died in office in 1827.
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Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington
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Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, was a military hero and British Prime Minister known for key historical victories.
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Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey
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Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey, was a prominent Whig Prime Minister instrumental in the Reform Act and Slavery Abolition Act.
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William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne
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William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne, served as Prime Minister and was a close advisor to Queen Victoria during her early reign.
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Edward Smith-Stanley, 14th Earl of Derby
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Edward Stanley, 14th Earl of Derby, was a three-time Prime Minister who significantly influenced British democracy through reforms.
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William Ewart Gladstone
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William Ewart Gladstone, a four-time Prime Minister, shaped Victorian Liberalism and advocated for significant social and political reforms.
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Robert Gascoyne-Cecil, 3rd Marquess of Salisbury
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Robert Gascoyne-Cecil, 3rd Marquess of Salisbury, was a significant British statesman, serving three terms as Prime Minister.
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Archibald Primrose, Earl of Rosebery
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Archibald Primrose, 5th Earl of Rosebery, was a notable British politician and Prime Minister, serving from 1894 to 1895.
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Arthur James Balfour
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Arthur James Balfour, 1st Earl of Balfour, was a prominent British politician and Prime Minister known for the Balfour Declaration.
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Sir Anthony Eden, MC
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Anthony Eden, 1st Earl of Avon, served as UK Prime Minister from 1955 to 1957, known for the Suez Crisis.
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Harold Macmillan, 1st Earl of Stockton
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Harold Macmillan, 1st Earl of Stockton, was Prime Minister from 1957 to 1963, known for economic prosperity and decolonisation.
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Alec Douglas-Home, Earl of Home
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Alec Douglas-Home, a Conservative Prime Minister, held office briefly from 1963 to 1964, known for his aristocratic background.
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David Cameron
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David Cameron, former Prime Minister, became Foreign Secretary in 2023 after a notable political career, including Brexit.
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Boris Johnson
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Boris Johnson, UK Prime Minister from 2019 to 2022, is a controversial figure known for Brexit and COVID-19 management.