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When appointed to Canada,
the eleventh Governor General, Victor
Christian William Cavendish, was the 9th
Duke of Devonshire, having succeeded to
the title in 1908 on he death of his
uncle.
He was born on May 31st,
1868, the son of Lord Edward Cavendish,
he became known as England's richest
peer and largest landowner. He was a son
in law of former Governor General Lord
Lansdowne. Before succeeding to the
Dukedom he held a seat in the House of
Commons and later held successive
cabinet posts. He was Civil Lord of the
Admiralty from 1915-1916.
Sworn in as Governor
General on November 11, 1916, Devonshire
immediately entered into the economic
and social life of the Dominion and
travelled extensively. He displayed a
great interest in land development,
farming and housing.
In 1921, Devonshire
travelled to England to attend the
marriage of his daughter, Lady Dorothy
Cavendish to Captain Harold MacMillan,
who would later become Prime Minister of
the United Kingdom.
Many issues of great
importance transpired during his term of
office. Sir Robert Borden formed the
Union Government; instituted
conscription and gave the vote to all
who served with the armed services. Also
in the General election of 1917, women
were granted the right to vote for the
first time.
In 1919 he entertained
the Prince of Wales and when his term
ended in July of 1921, he returned home
to be successively appointed Secretary
of the Colonies, Lord Lieutenant of
Derbyshire, Chancellor of Leeds
University and High Steward of Cambridge
University.
The Duke died at his
estate, 'Chatsworth' in Derbyshire on
May 6th, 1938. His eldest son had been
killed in action in France and the title
passed to his second son, Lord Edward
William Spencer Cavendish. |
