World Leaders

List of Prime Ministers of the United Kingdom

This comprehensive list details the 65 individuals who have served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Beginning with Robert Walpole, often considered the first, it traces the lineage of these pivotal world leaders. Notable early figures include Spencer Compton, 1st Earl of Wilmington, and Henry Pelham.

65 itemsUpdated Mar 13, 2026

The office of Prime Minister of the United Kingdom represents one of the most enduring and influential political positions globally. This extensive list chronicles the 65 individuals who have held this pivotal role, shaping not only the domestic landscape of Britain but also its standing as a major player on the world stage. As central figures in the "World Leaders" category, these Prime Ministers have navigated periods of immense change, from imperial expansion and industrial revolution to global conflicts and the complexities of modern international relations. Their collective tenure reflects a continuous narrative of governance, adaptation, and leadership that has profoundly impacted global history. The genesis of the Prime Ministerial role is often attributed to Sir Robert Walpole, who, though never officially bearing the title, effectively functioned as the first among equals in the King's government during the 18th century. His long tenure established many precedents for the office. Following Walpole, figures such as Spencer Compton, 1st Earl of Wilmington, and Henry Pelham continued to solidify the evolving structure of executive power. The subsequent leadership of Thomas Pelham-Holles, 1st Duke of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and William Cavendish, 4th Duke of Devonshire, further illustrates the gradual shift from monarchical dominance to a more cabinet-centric system, laying the groundwork for the modern parliamentary democracy we recognize today. These early leaders were instrumental in defining the scope and responsibilities of what would become the most powerful political office in the UK. The lineage of UK Prime Ministers showcases a remarkable spectrum of leadership styles, political ideologies, and responses to national and international crises. From architects of empire to reformers of social welfare, each incumbent has left an indelible mark on the nation's trajectory. Their decisions have reverberated across continents, influencing diplomacy, trade, and security. Understanding the contributions and challenges faced by these 65 individuals provides critical insight into the evolution of democratic governance, the complexities of statecraft, and the enduring power of political leadership in shaping the course of history. The role continues to demand exceptional resilience and strategic vision, reflecting the ongoing demands placed upon these world leaders.

#Name
1
Robert Walpole

Robert Walpole

1721–1742

2
Spencer Compton, 1st Earl of Wilmington

Spencer Compton, 1st Earl of Wilmington

1742–1743

3
Henry Pelham

Henry Pelham

1743–1754

4
Thomas Pelham-Holles, 1st Duke of Newcastle-upon-Tyne

Thomas Pelham-Holles, 1st Duke of Newcastle-upon-Tyne

1754–1756 (First Term)

5
William Cavendish, 4th Duke of Devonshire

William Cavendish, 4th Duke of Devonshire

1756–1757

6
John Stuart, 3rd Earl of Bute

John Stuart, 3rd Earl of Bute

1762–1763

7
George Grenville

George Grenville

1763–1765

8
Charles Watson-Wentworth, 2nd Marquess of Rockingham

Charles Watson-Wentworth, 2nd Marquess of Rockingham

1765–1766 (First Term)

9
William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham

William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham

10
Augustus FitzRoy, 3rd Duke of Grafton

Augustus FitzRoy, 3rd Duke of Grafton

11
Frederick North, 2nd Earl of Guilford

Frederick North, 2nd Earl of Guilford

12
William Petty, 2nd Earl of Shelburne

William Petty, 2nd Earl of Shelburne

1782–1783

13
William Cavendish-Bentinck, 3rd Duke of Portland

William Cavendish-Bentinck, 3rd Duke of Portland

1783 (First Term)

14
William Pitt the Younger

William Pitt the Younger

1783–1801 (First Term)

15
Henry Addington, 1st Viscount Sidmouth

Henry Addington, 1st Viscount Sidmouth

1801–1804

16
William Wyndham Grenville, 1st Baron Grenville

William Wyndham Grenville, 1st Baron Grenville

17
Spencer Perceval

Spencer Perceval

1809–1812

18
Robert Jenkinson, 2nd Earl of Liverpool

Robert Jenkinson, 2nd Earl of Liverpool

19
George Canning

George Canning

1827

20
F. J. Robinson, 1st Viscount Goderich

F. J. Robinson, 1st Viscount Goderich

21
Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington

Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington

1828–1830 (First Term)

22
Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey

Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey

1830–1834

23
William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne

William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne

1834 (First Term)

24
Robert Peel

Robert Peel

1834–1835 (First Term)

25
John Russell, 1st Earl Russell

John Russell, 1st Earl Russell

1846–1852 (First Term)

26
Edward Smith-Stanley, 14th Earl of Derby

Edward Smith-Stanley, 14th Earl of Derby

1852 (First Term)

27
George Hamilton-Gordon, 4th Earl of Aberdeen

George Hamilton-Gordon, 4th Earl of Aberdeen

1852–1855

28
Henry Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston

Henry Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston

29
Benjamin Disraeli

Benjamin Disraeli

1868 (First Term)

30
William Ewart Gladstone

William Ewart Gladstone

1868–1874 (First Term)

31
Robert Gascoyne-Cecil, 3rd Marquess of Salisbury

Robert Gascoyne-Cecil, 3rd Marquess of Salisbury

1885–1886 (First Term)

32
Archibald Primrose, 5th Earl of Rosebery

Archibald Primrose, 5th Earl of Rosebery

1894–1895

33
Arthur Balfour

Arthur Balfour

1902–1905

34
Henry Campbell-Bannerman

Henry Campbell-Bannerman

1905–1908

35
H. H. Asquith

H. H. Asquith

1908–1916

36
David Lloyd George

David Lloyd George

1916–1922

37
Bonar Law

Bonar Law

1922–1923

38
Stanley Baldwin

Stanley Baldwin

1923–1924 (First Term)

39
Ramsay MacDonald

Ramsay MacDonald

1924 (First Term)

40
Neville Chamberlain

Neville Chamberlain

1937–1940

41
Winston Churchill

Winston Churchill

1940–1945 (First Term)

42
Clement Attlee

Clement Attlee

1945–1951

43
Anthony Eden

Anthony Eden

1955–1957

44
Harold Macmillan

Harold Macmillan

1957–1963

45
Alec Douglas-Home

Alec Douglas-Home

1963–1964

46
Harold Wilson

Harold Wilson

1964–1970 (First Term)

47
Edward Heath

Edward Heath

1970–1974

48
James Callaghan

James Callaghan

1976–1979

49
Margaret Thatcher

Margaret Thatcher

1979–1990

50
John Major

John Major

1990–1997

51
Tony Blair

Tony Blair

1997–2007

52
Gordon Brown

Gordon Brown

2007–2010

53
David Cameron

David Cameron

2010–2016

54
Theresa May

Theresa May

2016–2019

55
Boris Johnson

Boris Johnson

2019–2022

56
Liz Truss

Liz Truss

2022

57
Rishi Sunak

Rishi Sunak

2022–2024

58

William Pitt the Elder, 1st Earl of Chatham

1766–1768

59

Augustus Henry Fitzroy, 3rd Duke of Grafton

1768–1770

60

Frederick North, Lord North

1770–1782

61

Robert Banks Jenkinson, 2nd Earl of Liverpool

1812–1827

62

Frederick John Robinson, 1st Viscount Goderich

1827–1828

63

Henry John Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston

1855–1858 (First Term)

64

Henry John Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston

1859–1865 (Second Term)

65

Sir Keir Starmer

2024–Present

This list is compiled from verified public records and reference sources. Last verified: March 13, 2026.

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