A sitting British prime minister fought a bloodless pistol duel with a rival in 1798
Political insults turned physical on a Sunday afternoon in 1798, when Prime Minister William Pitt the Younger faced off against George Tierney in a rare and risky pistol duel over a heated debate.
Prime Minister William Pitt the Younger found himself on Putney Heath in 1798, facing a pistol duel against George Tierney. The conflict began in the House of Commons after Pitt accused Tierney of obstructing the nation's defense. At the time, dueling was illegal, but the Prime Minister felt his honor was at stake.
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