Spencer Cavendish, 8th Duke of Devonshire

Common card · No. 259605

Spencer Compton Cavendish, 8th Duke of Devonshire (23 July 1833 – 24 March 1908), styled Lord Cavendish of Keighley between 1834 and 1858 and Marquess of Hartington between 1858 and 1891, was a British statesman. He has the distinction of having held leading positions in three political parties: at different times he led Liberal Party, the Liberal Unionist Party and the Conservative Party in either the House of Commons or the House of Lords. After 1886 he increasingly voted with the Conservatives. He declined to become prime minister on three occasions, because the circumstances were never right. Historian and politician Roy Jenkins said he was "too easy-going and too little of a party man". He held some passions, but he rarely displayed them regarding the most controversial issues of the day.

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