The Duke of Devonshire - Victor Christian William Cavendish
11th Governor General of Canada
Term:
1916-1921
Born:
May 31, 1868 London, England
Died:
May 6, 1938 Devonshire, England
The Duke of Devonshire was the last Governor General of Canada appointed without the consultation of the Canadian government. When he arrived in Ottawa, Prime Minister Borden was cautious, for not only had Canada not been conferred with on his appointment - although the practice of consultation was customary, it was not standard procedure until 1921 - but Devonshire's predecessor had intervened in military matters.
Although it was a difficult period for the Government, Devonshire won the confidence of Borden and stayed out of the political issues of the day. Devonshire had been a politician himself from 1891-1908. He was first elected to the British House of Commons in 1891, and served as Treasurer of His Majesty's Household (1900-03), Financial Secretary of the Treasury (1903-05), and Civil Lord of the Admiralty (1915-16).
As Governor General, Devonshire took an interest in Canadian agriculture, art, and sports. He was Governor General during the Prince of Wales' (later King Edward VIII) visit in 1919. This was the first Royal Visit to Canada since Confederation.
