He chose not to live at 10 Downing Street, remaining at his home in Hatfield instead. He was also the only Premier to serve as Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary simultaneously which left a gap for First Lord during his second administration. (See Stafford Henry Northcote and W. H. Smith).
54th First Lord of the Treasury
48th British Prime Minister 1894 – 1895. (Liberal)
Smith was First Lord of the Admiralty, twice Secretary of State for War, Leader of the House of Commons and later (during Salisbury's second administration) First Lord of the Treasury, among other posts.
In his clashes over War Office estimates with Lord Randolph Churchill at the Treasury‚ he was clear‚ adamant‚ and equable where Churchill was excitable and offensive. In the restructuring of the cabinet‚ following Churchill's resignation‚ Smith became First Lord of the Treasury and leader of the House of Commons in January 1887. Married to Emily Danvers Smith. See also W.H Smith (known colloquially as Smith's) a major British retailer.This is a letter addressed to the British Admiral of the Fleet, Sir Alfred Phillips Ryder (1820-1888)dated 10th January1887. (See also Ryder biography).The congratulatory reference would have been with regard to his promotion and enhanced political status. Wikipedia
known as Sir Stafford Northcote, Bt, from 1851 to 1885 British Conservative politician. He notably served as Chancellor of the Exchequer between 1874 and 1880 and as Foreign Secretary between 1885 and 1886. When Lord Salisbury became prime minister he took the titles of Earl of Iddesleigh and Viscount St Cyres and was included in the cabinet as First Lord of the Treasury. In Salisbury's 1886 ministry he became Foreign Secretary, but the arrangement was not a comfortable one, and his resignation had just been decided upon when on 12 January 1887 he died very suddenly at Lord Salisbury's official residence in 10 Downing Street. See alsolink
