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Edward Smith-Stanley, 14th Earl of Derby

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World Leader

The Resume

    (March 29, 1799-October 23, 1869)
    Born in Knowsley, Lancashire, England, United Kingdom
    Secretary for Ireland (1830-33)
    Secretary of State for War and the Colonies (1833-34, 1841-45)
    Served as Prime Minister three times (February 23-December 17, 1852; February 20, 1858-June 11, 1859; June 28, 1866-February 25, 1868)

Why he might be annoying:

    While serving in the House of Lords, he accused Irish Catholic priests of using the confessional to encourage lawlessness (1842).
    Although he was Prime Minister three times, his total time in office was less than four years.
    None of his three governments enjoyed a majority in Parliament, which made governing difficult as he had to avoid actions that would cause the smaller parties in his coalition to withdraw.
    He had so much trouble attracting the support of established politicians that his first government was nicknamed 'the Who? Who? Ministry.' (After the shouts of the aging and somewhat deafDuke of Wellington upon hearing unfamiliar names as the list of cabinet officers was read aloud in the House of Lords.)

Why he might not be annoying:

    As Secretary of Ireland, he established the national education system (1831).
    He published a blank verse translation of Homer's 'Iliad.' (1864)
    Port Stanley, capital of the Falkland Islands, was named after him.
    His final ministry secured passage of the Second Reform Act (1867), which extended voting rights to members of the working class.
    He headed the Conservative Party for 22 years, the longest tenure of any British major party leader. (Runner-up: Labour Party Leader Clement Attlee at 20 years.)

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    For 2024, as of last weekly ranking, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2023, Out of 11 Votes: 54.55% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying