| • Science | • People | • Locations | • Timeline |
The son of the 14th Earl of Derby, a politician and British Prime Minister, Lord Stanley of Preston entered politics after having studied at Eton College and Sandhurst. He served briefly as an officer with the Grenadier Guards, but his family's prominent role in British politics soon called him to political life. He served as a Conservative member of parliament in the British House of CommonsThe House of Commons is a component of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, which also includes the Sovereign and the House of Lords. The House of Commons is a democratically elected body, consisting of 659 members, who are known as "Members of Parliamen and a member of the cabinet. He married Lady Constance Villiers, a daughter of the 4th Earl of Clarendon on May 31May 31 is the 151st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (152nd in leap years). There are 214 days remaining. Events 1578 Martin Frobisher sails from Harwich, England, destined to mine fool's gold at Frobisher Bay, which is used to pave streets in Lo, 1864Events January March January 21 Maori Wars: The Tauranga Campaign starts. February 27 American Civil War: The first Northern prisoners arrive at the Confederate prison at Andersonville, Georgia. March 1- Alejandro Mon Menendez takes office as Prime Minist and they had ten children.
During his term as Governor General, Lord Stanley travelled often and widely throughout the country. His visit to western CanadaCanada historically the Dominion of Canada is the second-largest, and northernmost, country in the world. It is a decentralized federation of 10 provinces and 3 territories, governed as a constitutional monarchy, and formed in 1867 through an act of Confe in 1889Events January-April January 8 Herman Hollerith receives a patent for his electric tabulating machine January 22 Columbia Phonograph is formed in Washington, DC. February 11 Meiji Constitution of Japan adopted; 1st Diet convenes in 1890 January 30 ? Crown gave him a lasting appreciation of the region's great natural beauty as well as permitting him to meet the people of Canada's First Nations and many western ranchers and farmers. He also experienced the joys of fishing and avidly pursued the sport whenever his busy schedule allowed.
When Sir John A. MacdonaldSir John Alexander Macdonald Rank 1st ( 1867- 1873 and 1878- 1891) Date of Birth January 11, 1815 Place of Birth Glasgow, Scotland Spouses Isabella Clark Susan Agnes Bernard Profession lawyer Political Party Conservative The Right Honourable Sir John Alex died in office of heart failure on June 6, 1891, Lord Stanley lost the close friendship he had enjoyed with the Prime Minister. Lord Stanley asked Sir John Abbott to take over as Prime Minister. Once the administration was in place, Sir Abbott resigned due to illness and turned the government over to Sir John Thompson.
Lord Stanley helped cement the non-political role of the Governor General when he refused to agree to a controversial motion in the House of Commons. The motion called on him as Governor General to oppose the Jesuit Estates Bill passed by the government of Quebec. The opposition to the bill was introduced by the other provinces who were motivated by mistrust of the Roman Catholic Church in Quebec. Lord Stanley declined to interfere, citing the proposed disallowal as unconstitutional. In holding to this decision, he gained popularity by refusing to compromise the vice-regal position of political neutrality.
A statue of Lord Stanley stands in British Columbia. Lady Stanley, whom Sir Wilfrid Laurier described as "an able and witty woman", made a lasting contribution during her husband's term of office. In 1891, she founded the "Lady Stanley Institute for Trained Nurses" on Rideau Street, the first nursing school in Ottawa. She was also an enthusiastic fan of hockey games on the Rideau Hall skating rink.
In 1893, Lord Stanley gave Canada a treasured national icon -- the Stanley Cup. He originally donated the trophy as an award for Canada's top-ranking amateur hockey club. Then in 1926, the National Hockey League adopted the Stanley Cup as the championship prize in professional hockey. That this now famous cup bears Lord Stanley's name is a fitting tribute to his encouragement and love of outdoor life and sport in Canada. In recognition of this, Lord Stanley was inducted into the Canadian Hockey Hall of Fame in 1945 in the "Honoured Builders" category.
Lord Stanley's term as Governor General of Canada was due to end in September 1893. However, in April of that year, his brother, the Edward Henry Stanley, 15th Earl of Derby, died. Lord Stanley succeeded him as the 16th Earl of Derby. As a result, he left Canada on July 15, 1893 and returned to England. An Administrator was appointed to fulfil his duties until Lord Aberdeen was sworn in that September.
Back with his family in England, he soon became the Lord Mayor of Liverpool and the first chancellor of the University of Liverpool. During the last years of his life, he increasingly dedicated himself to philanthropic work. Lord Stanley died on June 14, 1908, and Lady Stanley died on April 17, 1922.
After Edward Whymper made the first ascent of Stanley Peak in 1901, he named the mountain after Lord Stanley.