Edward Smith-Stanley, 12th Earl of Derby
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Edward Smith-Stanley, 12th Earl of Derby (12 December 1752 – 21 October 1834) was a British peer and politician of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. He was born to James Smith-Stanley, Lord Strange (son of Edward Stanley, 11th Earl of Derby), and Lucy, daughter and co-heir of Hugh Smith of Weald Hall, Essex. James Stanley assumed the additional surname of Smith; he died on June 1, 1771. Edward Smith-Stanley entered Eton College in 1764, proceeding to Trinity College, Cambridge in 1771. Due to his father's death in 1771, Edward succeeded his grandfather as Earl of Derby in 1776. His first wife was Lady Elizabeth Hamilton, daughter of James Hamilton, 6th Duke of Hamilton. In 1797 he married the actress Elizabeth Farren.
At a dinner party in 1778 held on his estate "The Oaks" in Carshalton, the Earl and his friends planned a sweepstake horse race, won the following year by the Earl's own horse, Bridget. The race, the Epsom Oaks, has been named after the estate since. At a celebration after Bridget's win, a similar race for colts was proposed and the Earl tossed a coin with Sir Charles Bunbury for the honour of naming the race. The Earl won, and the race became known as the Derby Stakes. Sir Charles won the initial race in 1780 with his horse, Diomed; the Earl himself won it in 1787 with Sir Peter Teazle.
| Parliament of Great Britain | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Charles Molyneux Sir Thomas Egerton, Bt |
Member of Parliament for Lancashire with Sir Thomas Egerton, Bt 1774–1776 |
Succeeded by Thomas Stanley Sir Thomas Egerton, Bt |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by The Lord Ashburton |
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster 1783 |
Succeeded by The Earl of Clarendon |
| Preceded by The Lord Harrowby |
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster 1806–1807 |
Succeeded by Spencer Perceval |
| Honorary titles | ||
| Preceded by The Earl of Derby |
Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire 1776–1834 |
Succeeded by The Earl of Derby |
| Peerage of England | ||
| Preceded by Edward Stanley |
Earl of Derby 1776–1834 |
Succeeded by Edward Stanley |
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