Henry Stanley, 4th Earl of Derby
(1531-1593), StatesmanSitter in 4 portraits
Statesman and gentleman of the privy chamber to Edward VI and Philip II of Spain. In Elizabeth's reign he was an active member of the Council of the North, served as ambassador extraordinary and travelled to France for the investiture of Henry III with the Order of the Garter, which was one of the largest embassies ever sent by the Tudor monarchs. The diary of his time treating for peace with Spain with Alessandro Farnese in 1588 survives in the British Library (BL Sloane MS 262). He is of particular interest as an early patron of poets, actors, and wrestlers, and financed a company of actors called 'Derby's Men', one of the earliest troupes of their kind.
Henry Stanley, 4th Earl of Derby
by Unknown artist
oil on panel, late 16th century
NPG 7000
Henry Stanley, 4th Earl of Derby
by Isaac Oliver
watercolour on vellum, circa 1590
NPG 6302
Henry Stanley, 4th Earl of Derby
by Henry Richard Cook, published by Edward Evans, after Silvester (Sylvester) Harding
line engraving, probably early 19th century
NPG D25128
Henry Stanley, 4th Earl of Derby
by William Derby, after Unknown artist
pencil, pen and ink, circa 1835-1842
NPG D23086
Related People
- Anne Ker (née Stanley), Countess of Ancram (granddaughter)
- Edward Stanley, 3rd Earl of Derby (father)
- Ferdinando Stanley, 5th Earl of Derby (son)
- William Stanley, 6th Earl of Derby (son)
- James Stanley, 7th Earl of Derby (grandson)
- Elizabeth Hastings (née Stanley), Countess of Huntingdon (granddaughter)
- Sir Robert Stanley (grandson)
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