Doug Anthony, a former deputy prime minister and the man who presided over the historic change of name of the Country Party to the National Party, died on Sunday less than two weeks before his 91st birthday.

Mr Anthony, who was an MP for 27 years, a minister for 15 years, deputy prime minister for seven years, and leader of the Country/National Party for 12 years, hailed from a prominent farming and political family on the NSW north coast.