James Smith-Stanley, Lord Strange

File:James Stanley lord Strange.JPG

Lord Strange, c. 1749.

James Smith-Stanley, Lord Strange (1716–1771) was commonly known by that title, though neither he nor his father had any claim to it. He was the eldest son of Edward Stanley, 11th Earl of Derby, whose predecessor's heirs had used that courtesy title, but the right to two successive baronies Lord Strange (being baronies by writ) had descended to daughters, when the earldom had passed to the heir male.

James Stanley married Lucy daughter and coheir of Hugh Smith of Weald Hall, Essex, and took the additional surname Smith on his marriage. This marriage produced Edward Smith-Stanley, 12th Earl of Derby and several other children, including Thomas Stanley (1753–1779). He died before his father, so that the earldom passed straight to his son.

He attended Westminster School where he was friends with the future soldier and politician John Burgoyne who later married his sister.

Political service

Lord Strange was a Member of Parliament for Lancashire from 1741 until his death. He was Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster in the ministry of Lord North from 1762 and became a Privy Councillor at the same time.

He is mentioned by Parkman as plenipotentiary to Paris and Choiseul, and advisor to Pitt, during the 1760s turbulence that attended the Treaty of Paris (1763).

References

Parliament of Great Britain
Preceded by Peter Bold Richard Shuttleworth	Member of Parliament for Lancashire 1741–1771 With: Richard Shuttleworth 1741–1750 Peter Bold 1750–1761 James Shuttleworth 1761–1768 Lord Archibald Hamilton 1768–1771	Succeeded by The Earl of Sefton Lord Archibald Hamilton
Political offices
Preceded by The Earl of Kinnoull	Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster 1762–1771	Succeeded by The Earl of Clarendon
Honorary titles
Preceded by The Earl of Derby	Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire 1757–1771	Succeeded by The Earl of Derby