Lord Grenville becomes Prime Minister after Pitt's death

Background. William Pitt the Younger returned to the premiership on 10 May 1804 and led the country during the ongoing war with France. He died on 23 January 1806 at Bowling Green House on Putney Heath, probably from peptic ulceration of his stomach or duodenum, unmarried and without children. Lord Grenville, Pitt's political ally, had spent the years out of office close to the opposition Whig leader Charles James Fox, and when Pitt returned in 1804 Grenville sided with Fox and did not take part in his government.

Succession. Lord Grenville succeeded Pitt as Prime Minister on 11 February 1806. He formed the Ministry of All the Talents, a national unity government. This coalition included Grenville's supporters, Foxite Whigs, and supporters of former Prime Minister Lord Sidmouth. Grenville served as First Lord of the Treasury, while Charles James Fox served as Foreign Secretary, acting as joint leaders of the ministry.

Achievements. The Ministry of All the Talents aimed to form the strongest possible government during the war. Its most significant achievement was the abolition of the slave trade in 1807. However, the ministry ultimately accomplished little else, failing to make peace with France or accomplish Catholic emancipation. The failure on Catholic emancipation resulted in the ministry's dismissal in March 1807.