Page:Dictionary of National Biography volume 54.djvu/15

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Stanhope
8
Stanhope

1614, by H. H[olland], was drawn up by William Camden [q. v.] During his lifetime he had given 100l. for the construction and fitting up of a library at Trinity College, Cambridge, to which he bequeathed 700l. to buy lands for the maintenance of a library-keeper and his man. He also left to the college fifteen manuscripts and over three hundred books, among which was his polyglot bible, known as King Philip's bible. A small benefaction was set apart for the provision of a large vellum book 'wherein should be fairly written and limned the names, titles, arms, and dignities of all the founders of the college,' and of the benefactors and masters, with a list of preferments. Benefactions were also left by Stanhope to the town of Hull and the poor of Kentish Town and Terrington, as well as 200l. towards the foundation of Whitgift's college at Croydon. Having no children, he entailed his estates in the Isle of Axholme and at Caldecott on his nephews.

Stanhope wrote the earlier portion of 'Memoriale Collegio [sic] Sanctæ et Individuæ Trinitatis in Academia Cantabrigiensi,' a manuscript inscribed with his name and left to Trinity College. It was continued, in accordance with his wishes, up to 1700, and was known as the Lodge Book from being kept in the master's lodge. Several of his letters were in the collections of Dawson Turner and Richard Almack.

[Cooper's Athenae Cantabr. ii. 470-3, where is an exhaustive list of authorities.]

G. Le G. N.

STANHOPE, EDWARD (1840–1893), politician, was second son of Philip Henry, fifth earl Stanhope [q. v.], the historian, by Emily Harriet, second daughter of Sir Edward Kerrison, bart. He was born at his father's house in Grosvenor Place, London, on 24 Sept. 1840. After some tuition at a private school at Brighton, he entered Harrow, under the headmastership of Dr. Yaughan, in September 1852. At Harrow he won the Neeld medal for mathematics in 1859. Though of slight physique, he more than held his own in athletic sports and games. Stanhope was a member of the celebrated cricket eleven of 1859, when Harrow defeated Eton in one innings, and by his close and masterly defence in no small degree contributed to that result. He was a first-rate football player, fast, adroit, and indomitably plucky. He shot extremely well, and was fond of fishing. Stanhope left Harrow at midsummer 1859, and went up to Christ Church, Oxford, in the following October. Pursuing his natural bent towards mathematics, he obtained a first class in mathematical moderations in Michaelmas term 1861. Being destined for the bar, he went in for a pass in classics in Easter term 1862, and the examiners paid him the compliment of an 'honorary fourth.' In the following November he was elected to a fellowship at All Souls'. Thereupon he began his legal studies in London, and was called to the bar at the Inner Temple on 1 May 1865. He joined the home circuit, but his practice was mainly at the parliamentary bar, where his clear elocution and power of lucid statement soon secured him a good position. In 1868 he was appointed an assistant commissioner to inquire into the employment of children, young persons, and women in agriculture. In the following year he published an exhaustive report. Some of his strictures on i the conditions of cottage life in Dorset gave offence to the landed proprietors; but it would seem that he was right.

James Banks Stanhope, who, as representative of Sir Joseph Banks [q. v.], had inherited Revesby Abbey, Boston, and its estate, was first cousin to Edward Stanhope's father, and, attracted by the character and career of his young kinsman, he made him heir to his property in Lincolnshire, and brought him forward as one of the conservative candidates for Mid-Lincolnshire at the general election of 1874. Stanhope was returned unopposed, and again at the general election of 1880. After the redistribution of seats, consequent on the extension of the suffrage to the agricultural labourers, he was returned for the Horncastle division of Lincolnshire at the general election of 1885 by a majority of 865 over a liberal candidate; at the general election of 1886 he was returned unopposed, and at the general election of 1892 he beat his liberal opponent by 738.

At the opening of the session of 1875 Stanhope was chosen by Mr. Disraeli to move the address to the throne; and he did so in a speech of such sustained and stately rhetoric that Lord Randolph Churchill (then also a new member) likened it to 'a recitation from Gibbon.' He at once gained the ear of the house and the approbation of his leaders, and on 18 Nov. 1875 he entered the official hierarchy as parliamentary secretary to the board of trade. His office had at the moment a special importance. In the preceding July Mr. Plimsoll, M.P. for Derby, had, by some vehement demonstrations in the House of Commons, compelled public attention to the scandal and dangers connected with our merchant shipping. So much popular excitement was aroused that the government thought it expedient to pass