John Stuart, 3rd Earl of Bute

John Stuart, 3rd Earl of Bute, was born on May 25, 1713, in Edinburgh, Scotland. He was educated at Eton and Oxford before entering politics as a member of parliament for Liskeard in 1741. He became a close friend of Frederick, Prince of Wales, and served as his tutor and advisor. In 1760, Bute was appointed Prime Minister by King George III. He faced opposition from both Whigs and Tories, and his policies, such as the Treaty of Paris, which ended the Seven Years' War, and the controversial Cider Tax, were unpopular with the public. He resigned from his position in 1763 and was succeeded by George Grenville. After leaving politics, Bute focused on his personal interests, which included botany, architecture, and literature. He also played a role in the development of the Scottish Enlightenment, and was a patron of artists and writers such as James Macpherson and Robert Adam. Bute died on March 10, 1792, at his estate in Hampshire, England. He is remembered as a controversial figure in British politics and as a patron of the arts and culture.