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Elections | Governor General | Supreme Courts | Parliament | Political Parties | Prime Ministers | Provinces | Symbols
The Viscount Monck | The Lord Lisgar | The Earl of Dufferin | The Marquess of Lorne | The Marquess of Lansdowne | The Lord Stanley of Preston | The Earl of Aberdeen | The Earl of Minto | The Earl Grey | The Duke of Connaught and Stratheam | The Duke of Devonshire | Lord Byng of Vimy | The Viscount Willingdon | The Earl Bessborough | The Lord Tweedsmuir | The Earl of Athlone | The Viscount Alexander of Tunis | Vincent Massey | Georges P Vanier | Roland Michener | Jules Leger | Edward Schreyer | Jeanne Sauvé | Ray Hnatyshyn | Romeo LeBlanc | Adrienne Clarkson | Michelle Jean | David Lloyd Johnston
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.
