Oct. 16, 2025
History Study Day: The Life and Legacy of the 14th Earl of Derby: Prime Minister Three Times to Queen Victoria
You are invited to an exclusive study day at Knowsley Hall on 16th October 2025, dedicated to the remarkable life of Edward Geoffrey Smith-Stanley, the 14th Earl of Derby. Known for serving as Prime Minister three times during Queen Victoria’s reign, this event will focus on his largely unknown travel journals, A Grand Tour Journal 1820 – 1822 and A North American Journal 1824 – 1825, offering a unique lens into his political and personal legacy.
Speakers & Talks:
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Professor Andrew O’Shaughnessy: The significance of the North American Travel Journal’s eyewitness reports and their insights into American democracy.
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Patrick Dallaire: The importance of the American Journal in the evolution of the Canadian Constitution (1822-1840).
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Dr. Geoffrey Hicks: The later political career of the 14th Earl of Derby.
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Anne Somerset: Queen Victoria and her Prime Minister, the 14th Earl of Derby.
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Professor Christopher Leslie Brown: The Earl of Derby's anti-slavery career.
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Professor Jeanie Grant Moore: The relationship between the 14th Earl of Derby and Charles Dickens.
BOOK A VISIT
- Ticketed event FROM £75.00
Ticket Includes:
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Access to all talks
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Tea, coffee, and a light sandwich lunch
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On-site parking
Join us for this insightful day exploring the life and legacy of one of Britain’s most influential political figures.

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KNOWSLEY HALL
Admire the exquisite State Rooms with their intricate ceilings and grand chandeliers, explore the Hall's links to Shakespeare, and take in the beautiful Capability Brown inspired gardens, home to the stunning Fountain of Venus and the picturesque Rose Garden.
Knowsley Hall
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