Edward Smith-Stanley, 12th Earl of Derby

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Edward Smith-Stanley, 12th Earl of Derby (12 December 1752-21 October 1834) was a British peer and politician of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. He was born to James Smith-Stanley, Lord Strange, son of Edward Stanley, 11th Earl of Derby, and Lucy Smith. He entered Eton in 1764, proceeding to Trinity College, Cambridge in 1771. Because of his father's death in 1771, Edward succeeded his grandfather as Earl of Derby in 1776.

At a dinner party in 1778 held on his estate "The Oaks" in Carshalton, the Earl and his friends planned a sweepstake horse race, won the following year by the Earl's own horse, Bridget. The race, the Epsom Oaks, has been named after the estate since.

Peerage of England
Preceded by: Edward Stanley	Earl of Derby 1776–1834	Succeeded by: Edward Stanley
Political offices
Preceded by: The Lord Ashburton	Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster 1783	Succeeded by: The Earl of Clarendon
Preceded by: The Lord Harrowby	Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster 1806–1807	Succeeded by: Spencer Perceval