Edward George Villiers Stanley, 17th Earl of Derby (4 April 1865 - 4 February 1948) was an English politician around the turn of the 20th century. He was the son of the 16th Earl of Derby. He joined the Grenadier Guards as a lieutenant, and served in that regiment between 1885 and 1895. He also served as Secretary of State for War (two separate times) and Ambassador to France. He married Lady Alice Maude Olivia Montagu, daughter of the 7th Duke of Manchester; they had three children together. Two of them, Edward and Oliver achieved the rare distinction of sitting in the same Cabinet between May and October 1938 until Edward's death.

Preceded by: David Lloyd George	Secretary of State for War 1916–1918	Followed by: The Viscount Milner
Preceded by: Laming Worthington-Evans	Secretary of State for War 1921–1922	Followed by: Stephen Walsh

Preceded by: Frederick Arthur Stanley

Earl of Derby

Followed by: Edward John Stanley