Castlereagh the statesman, hated both in Ireland and Britain

The silver inkstand gifted by Lord Castlereagh by William Pitt.

This year marks the 200th anniversary of the death by suicide of Robert Stewart, Viscount Castlereagh, an enormously influential and divisive figure, hated in both Ireland and Britain.

The silver inkstand presented by William Pitt to Stewart in 1805 when he became Secretary of State for War and the Colonies is now on display at his home at Mount Stewart, Co. Down.