Lord Edward Cavendish

Lieutenant-Colonel Lord Edward Cavendish MP was born on 28 January 1838 in Marylebone, London, and died on 18 May 1891. He was a member of the British aristocracy and pursued careers in both the military and politics.

He was the third son of William Cavendish, the 7th Duke of Devonshire, and Lady Blanche Howard. His mother was the daughter of the 6th Earl of Carlisle and a niece of the 6th Duke of Devonshire. His family had notable political involvement; his eldest brother, Spencer Cavendish, served as Member of Parliament (MP) for North Lancashire from 1857 to 1891, and later became the 8th Duke of Devonshire. Spencer Cavendish was a prominent figure in the Liberal Party and was offered the position of Prime Minister three times by Queen Victoria. His middle brother, Frederick Cavendish, served as MP for the West Riding and held the position of Chief Secretary for Ireland before his assassination in 1882.

Military service commenced with Lord Edward Cavendish joining the Rifle Brigade. After retiring from the regular army, he continued his military involvement by joining the 2nd Derbyshire Militia, which was later designated as the Sherwood Foresters. In 1888, he transferred to the King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment.

In the political arena, Lord Edward Cavendish served as the MP for West Derbyshire from its establishment until his death. His political stance shifted from the Liberal Party to the Liberal Unionist camp, reflecting opposition to the Liberal Party's policies on Irish Home Rule.

On 3 August 1865, he married his cousin Emma Lascelles, daughter of the Rt. Hon. William Lascelles. Emma Cavendish died in 1920. The couple had three sons:

- Victor Christian William Cavendish (1868–1938), who later became the 9th Duke of Devonshire,

- Lord Richard Frederick Cavendish (1871–1946), who also served as an MP,

- Lord John Spencer Cavendish (1875–1914), who was killed in action during World War I.

Following Lord Edward Cavendish’s death in Marylebone at the age of 53, his son Victor was elected unopposed to succeed him as MP for West Derbyshire. Victor Cavendish subsequently inherited the dukedom.

References to Cavendish’s parliamentary contributions can be found in the Hansard records spanning from 1803 to 2005.

No specific details about his direct ancestry beyond his immediate family are provided beyond what is already described.