'Pitt, Earl of Chatham; 1766', (1824). Portrait of William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham (1708-1778), British statesman of the Whig group who led the government of Great Britain twice in the middle of the 18th century. Historians call him Pitt of Chatham, or William Pitt the Elder to distinguish from his son, William Pitt the Younger, who also was a prime minister. Pitt was also known as The Great Commoner, because of his long-standing refusal to accept a title until 1766.