James Smith-Stanley, Lord Strange

Who was James Smith-Stanley, Lord Strange?

James Smith-Stanley, Lord Strange was commonly known by that title, though neither he nor his father had any claim to it. He was the eldest son of Edward Stanley, 11th Earl of Derby, whose predecessor's heirs had used that courtesy title, but the right to two successive baronies Lord Strange had descended to daughters, when the earldom had passed to the heir male.

James Stanley married Lucy daughter and coheir of Hugh Smith of Weald Hall, Essex, and took the additional surname Smith on his marriage. This marriage produced Edward Smith-Stanley, 12th Earl of Derby and several other children, including Thomas Stanley. He died before his father, so that the earldom passed straight to his son.

He attended Westminster School where he was friends with the future soldier and politician John Burgoyne who later married his sister.