Derby (England)

Derby , city (1991 pop. 218,026) and district, county seat of Derbyshire, central England, on the Derwent River. Manufactures include automobiles and airplane engines, pottery (see Derby ware ), synthetic textiles, beer, machinery, and chemicals. The city is also an important rail center. Derby was a Roman settlement and, in the 9th cent., one of the Five Boroughs of the Danes. England's first silk mill was built there in 1718. Derby is the birthplace of the philosopher Herbert Spencer . Noteworthy are the Cathedral of All Saints, with its Perpendicular tower (1509-27), the Roman Catholic Church of St. Mary (designed by A. W. Pugin in 1838), the arboretum, the chapel of St. Mary of the Bridge, and a grammar school founded in 1160. The Univ. of Derby and a teacher-training college are also located in Derby.

Derby an annual flat horse race for three-year-olds, founded in 1780 by the 12th Earl of Derby. The race is run on Epsom Downs in England on Derby Day in late May or early June. The name is also used for a similar race elsewhere, as in the Irish Derby.

In North American usage, a derby is a bowler hat, said to be from American demand for a hat of the type worn at the Epsom Derby.
Derby Dog a dog appearing on the racecourse after this has been cleared; taken proverbially as something sure to turn up or come in the way. The term is recorded from the mid 19th century.

Der·by ¹ / ˈdärbē/ a city in north central England, on the Derwent River ; pop. 214,000.