University of Derby Campus by Prince Charles in February 2006. A contemporary-styled building for Arts, Design and Technology students on "Markeaton Street" in Derby was formally opened in early November 2007 by Richard Branson. Courses are also run at the Britannia Mill site in Derby and at the St Helena’s Campus in Chesterfield, which was opened in October 2016. A campus also exists in Leek which is part of Buxton & Leek College (which is part of the University of Derby Group) This campus mainly runs Further Education courses, but also runs some degree programmes validated by the University of Derby. The university
Duke of Devonshire William Cavendish (1552-1626), was a politician and a supporter of the colonization of Virginia. In 1605 he was raised to the peerage as Baron Cavendish, of Hardwicke in the County of Derby, and in 1618 he was further honoured when he was made Earl of Devonshire. Both titles are in the Peerage of England. He was succeeded by his eldest son, William Cavendish, 2nd Earl of Devonshire, who served as Lord-Lieutenant of Derbyshire and was a patron of the philosopher Thomas Hobbes (1588–1679). On his early death in 1628 the titles passed to his son, William Cavendish, 3rd Earl of