High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Spencer Compton Cavendish, 8th Duke of Devonshire KG, GCVO, PC, PC 23 July 1833 24 March 1908 was a British statesman, previously known 1858 1891, whilst heir to the Dukedom, as Marquess of Hartington a courtesy title - as this was not a peerage in its own right he was free to sit in the House of Commons, as was not uncommon for the sons of peers at the time. He has the distinction of having served as leader of three political parties in succession- as Leader of the Liberal Party in the House of Commons, 1875-1880; of the Liberal Unionist Party.