Ill health forced Derby's resignation the following year, and led to his death in 1869.

There is a monument to him in London's Parliament Square. His last words, when asked how he was, were 'bored to utter extinction'.

Quote unquote

In his last speech to the House of Lords: "My Lords, I am now an old man, and like many of your lordships, I have already passed the three score years and ten. My official life is entirely closed; my political life is nearly so; and, in the course of nature, my natural life cannot now be long."

Did you know?

Derby is considered to be the father of the modern Conservative Party. His tenure as leader of the party lasted for 22 years - to date the all-time record for the party.

Wife

Emma Wilbranham was Derby's closest confidante and friends and acted as her personal secretary.  She hosted many political parties for him which were described as being as 'dull and depressing as a London fog'.