Edward George Geoffrey Smith-Stanley, 14th Earl of Derby

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Smith-Stanley,_14th_Earl_of_Derby

Edward George Geoffrey Smith-Stanley, 14th Earl of Derby, KG, PC (29 March 1799 – 23 October 1869) was an English statesman, three times Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, and to date the longest serving leader of the Conservative Party. He was known before 1834 as Edward Stanley, and from 1834 to 1851 as Lord Stanley. His record was unusual, since he is one of only four British Prime Ministers to have three or more separate periods in office.[However his ministries all lasted less than two years, and he held the post for a total of just over four years, less than many other Prime Ministers.

Although a great orator, Derby was frequently criticised for his languid leadership. Nevertheless he had many significant achievements, both as minister and Prime Minister, and has been described as the father of the modern Conservative Party. His tenure of 22 years as party leader still stands as the longest in Conservative Party history.

Stanley (sometimes referred to as "Port Stanley") on East Falkland, capital of the Falkland Islands is named after Edward Smith-Stanley.

His first son was Edward Henry Stanley, 15th Earl of Derby. His second son was Frederick Arthur Stanley, one of Canada's Governors-General and the man after whom the Stanley Cup is named.

Edward Geoffrey Smith-Stanley, 14th Earl of Derby was educated at Eton College, Eton, Berkshire, England.

He was educated at Christ Church, Oxford University, Oxford, Oxfordshire, England.

He held the office of Member of Parliament (M.P.) (Whig) for Stockbridge between 1822 and 1826.

He held the office of Member of Parliament (M.P.) (Whig) for Preston between 1826 and 1830.

He held the office of Under-Secretary for the Colonies between 1827 and 1828.

He was invested as a Privy Counsellor (P.C.) in 1830.

He held the office of Chief Secretary of ireland between 1830 and 1833.3 He was invested as a Privy Counsellor (P.C.) [Ireland] in 1831.

He held the office of Member of Parliament (M.P.) (Whig) for Windsor between 1831 and 1832.

He held the office of Member of Parliament (M.P.) (Whig) for North Lancashire between 1832 and 1835.

He held the office of Secretary of State for the Colonies between 1833 and 1834.

He held the office of Lord Rector of Glasgow University between 1834 and 1836.

He held the office of Member of Parliament (M.P.) (Conservative) for North Lancashire between 1835 and 1844.

He held the office of Secretary of State for the Colonies between 1841 and 1845.

He succeeded to the title of 2nd Baron Stanley of Bickerstaffe, co. Lancaster [U.K., 1832] on 4 November 1844, in his father's lifetime.

He succeeded to the title of 8th Baronet Stanley, of Bickerstaffe, co. Lancs [E., 1627] on 30 June 1851.

He succeeded to the title of 14th Earl of Derby [E., 1485] on 30 June 1851.

He graduated in 1852 with a Doctor of Civil Law (D.C.L.).

He held the office of Chancellor of Oxford University between 1852 and 1869.

He held the office of Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury between February 1852 and December 1852.

He translated Homer's Iliad.

He held the office of Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury between March 1858 and January 1859.

He was invested as a Knight, Order of the Garter (K.G.) in 1859.

He held the office of Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury between July 1866 and February 1868.

He was invested as a Knight Grand Cross, Order of St. Michael and St. George (G.C.M.G.) in 1869.