Edward George Geoffrey Smith Stanley was born on 29 March 1799 at Knowsley Park, Lancashire, the eldest son of Edward Smith Stanley, thirteenth earl of Derby. He was educated at Eton College and Christ College, Oxford. His parliamentary career began in 1820 when he became Whig Member of Parliament for Stockbridge, entering government as under-secretary of the colonies in 1827.
Between 1830 and 1833, he served as chief secretary for Ireland, introducing the Irish Education Act in 1831 which created the Irish board of national education. In 1833, he accepted the post of colonial secretary, securing the abolition of slavery but resigning over the government's policy in Ireland in 1834.
In 1837, Stanley joined the Tory Party and was appointed colonial secretary under Robert Peel in 1841. In 1844, he was elevated to the House of Lords as Lord Stanley of Bickerstaffe, resigning from government because he opposed repeal of the Corn Laws and reluctantly becoming leader of the Protectionist Party. On the death of his father in 1851, Stanley inherited the title of fourteenth earl of Derby and the following year he headed his first administration, forming a second ministry between 1858 and 1859. In 1866, Stanley formed his third ministry, with Benjamin Disraeli as Chancellor of the Exchequer and leader in the House of Commons, introducing the Reform Act of 1867 which extended voting rights to male adult householders living in borough constituencies. Retiring in 1868 due to deteriorating health, he died on 23 October 1869 at Knowsley Park.
From the guide to the Edward George Geoffrey Smith Stanley collection, 1844, (Scott Polar Research Institute, University of Cambridge)
