Addington, Henry, 1st Viscount Sidmouth (1757–1844). Prime minister. During a long political career Addington suffered from the denigration of foes and the condescension of friends. The son of a country doctor, he was educated at Winchester and Oxford. Entering the Commons in 1784 he made little impact until Pitt pushed him as Speaker in 1789. He proved to be capable and fair-minded, and because of his opposition to catholic emancipation was George III's choice to succeed Pitt as prime minister in 1801. Despite its defects the peace of Amiens was initially popular and Addington's policies of fiscal economy were generally approved. The breakdown of the peace settlement ...