Edward Smith Stanley, 12th Earl of Derby

Thomas Gainsborough 1727 - 1788

Summary

Edward Smith Stanley (1752-1834) was born in Preston, the son of James Smith Stanley (Lord Strange), MP for Lancashire, and Lucy Smith. He succeeded his grandfather as the 12th Earl of Derby in 1776. He was Lord-Lieutenant of Lancashire for 58 years and an enthusiastic political supporter of the Whig party. He is probably best known for helping to establish two classic British horse races, the Epsom Derby and the Epsom Oaks. His marriage to Elizabeth 'Betty' Hamilton, only daughter of the 6th Duke and Duchess of Hamilton, in 1774 was one of the most extravagent events of the period. Parliament was suspended to enable politicians to attend. It was held at the family's country residence The Oaks near Epsom Downs. A few years later in 1778, following an unhappy marriage, Elizabeth left Edward and her children for her lover, the 3rd Duke of Dorset. Edward refused to divorce her so she was unable to remarry. Her relationship fell apart and she died in 1797 an outcast of society. Following her death, Edward married the Irish actress, Elizabeth Farren.