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Derby (EDWARD GEOFFREY SMITH STANLEY)

EDWARD GEOFFREY SMITH STANLEY, 14th EARL OF, an English statesman; born in Knowsley Park, Lancashire, March 29, 1799. In 1820 he was elected to the House of Commons as member for Stockbridge. At first inclining to the Whig party he joined Canning's ministry in 1827 and in 1830 became chief secretary for Ireland in Lord Grey's government, greatly distinguishing himself by his speeches in favor of the Reform Bill in 1831-1832.

The opposition led by O'Connell in the House of Commons was powerful and violent, but Stanley was successful in totally defeating the agitation for the repeal of the Union. He warmly advocated the abolition of slavery, and passed the act for this purpose in 1833; but in the following year a difference of opinion with his party as to the diversion of the surplus revenues of the Irish Church led him to join the Tories. In 1841 he became colonial secretary under Sir Robert Peel, but resigned on Peel's motion for repeal of the corn-laws. In 1851 and 1858 he formed ministries, and again in 1866. Early in 1868 he resigned office.

He died Oct. 23, 1869. EDWARD HENRY STANLEY, 15th Earl of Derby, was born in 1826; educated at Rugby, and Trinity College, Cambridge. In 1852 he was under-secretary of foreign affairs; afterward secretary of state for India. Under his superintendence the management of the British India Empire was transferred from the East India Company to the government of Great Britain. In 1866 and also in 1874 he was secretary of state for foreign affairs. Lord Derby became a Liberal in 1879, and was secretary of state for the colonies under Mr. Gladstone from 1882 to 1885. He, however, He, however , took a stand against Irish Home Rule in 1886, and afterward ranked among Mr. among .

Gladstone's opponents. He died April 21, 1893.