Born May 25, 1713, in Edinburgh; died Mar. 10, 1792, in London. English statesman. Prime minister (1762-63).
Bute was a favorite of Gebrge III who tried to repress a Whig oligarchy and establish a regime of personal government. At the end of the Seven Years’ War of 1756-63, he conducted secret talks with France. After the conclusion of the Paris Peace Treaty of 1763, under pressure from the Whig opposition and as a result of widespread dissatisfaction with his tax policy, Bute retired.