Thomas Pelham-Holles, 1st Duke of Newcastle-upon-Tyne and 1st Duke of Newcastle-under-Lyne, KG, PC (21 July 1693 – 17 November 1768) was a British Whig statesman, whose official life extended throughout the Whig supremacy of the 18th century. In his political career, Newcastle held the position of Prime Minister of Great Britain for a total of seven years, in two separate periods. While his premiership was not particularly notable, Newcastle precipitated the Seven Years' War, which would cause his resignation from his high position. After his second term as Prime Minister, he served for a short while in Lord Rockingham's government, before retiring from government.