Cavendish, Spencer Compton, 8th Duke of Devonchire (1833 -1908)

Spencer Compton Cavendish was the eldest son of William Cavendish Lord Cavendish of Keighley (succeeding to 7th Duke of Devonshire in 1858), and Lady Blanche Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire. From 1858 to 1891 he was known under the courtesy title of Marquess of Hartington. He was educated at Trinity College, Cambridge. Entering Parliament in 1857, he pursued an active political career, and has the distinction of having served as leader of three political parties (in succession- as Leader of the Liberal Party in the House of Commons, 1875–1880; of the Liberal Unionist Party 1886–1903; and of the Unionists in the House of Lords 1902–1903). He also declined to become Prime Minister on three occasions. He succeeded as Duke of Devonshire in 1891. For many years he kept a mistress, but was eventually married on 16 August 1892, at the age of 59, to Louisa Frederica Augusta von Alten, widow of the late William Drogo Montagu, 7th Duke of Manchester. He died of pneumonia in Cannes and was buried on 28 March 1908 at Edensor, Derbyshire. He was succeeded by his nephew, Victor Cavendish, as 9th Duke of Devonshire.