1-625-954 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Duke of Devonshire, c1891-1908. Spencer Compton Cavendish, (1833-1908) became leader of the Liberal opposition in 1875, and after Disraeli's Conservative government fell in 1880 he was invited to form a government. Instead he opted to serve under Gladstone's leadership, holding the offices of Secretary of State for India (1880-1882) then Secretary of State for War (1882-1885). His differences with Gladstone over Irish Home Rule compelled Cavendish to refuse to serve in his government in 1886 and become leader of the Liberal Unionists. He succeeded as Duke of Devonshire in 1891 and entered the House of Lords.