Evelyn Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire
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Victor Christian William Cavendish, 9th Duke of Devonshire KG, GCMG, GCVO, TD, PC, JP, FRS [1] (31 May 1868 – 6 May 1938), known as Victor Cavendish until 1908, was a British peer and politician who served as Governor General of Canada.
- Early Life and Education
- Political Career in The United Kingdom
- Marriage, Family and Household
- Governor General of Canada
- Canadian Tours and Interests
- Titles and Honours Debate
- Later Life
- Legacy
Victor was the eldest son of Lord Edward Cavendish, a Liberal Unionist Member of Parliament for West Derbyshire, and Emma Elizabeth Lascelles. Edward was the younger son of William Cavendish, 7th Duke of Devonshire, but his older brother, Spencer Cavendish, 8th Duke of Devonshire, remained unmarried until the age of 59 and was childless. Victor was...
Upon the death of his father in 1891, the 23-year-old Victor succeeded him unopposed as the representative for West Derbyshire, becoming the youngest British Member of Parliament at the time. He was treasurer of the royal household from 1900 to 1903, and financial secretary to the treasury from 1903 to 1905. He served in the House of Commons until ...
On 30 July 1892, Victor married Lady Evelyn Petty-Fitzmaurice, the elder daughter of Henry Petty-Fitzmaurice, 5th Marquess of Lansdowne, Governor Generalof Canada from 1883 to 1889, and Lady Maud Hamilton. The couple had seven children: Edward, Lord Hartington (later the 10th Duke of Devonshire) (1895–1950), Maud (1896–1975), Blanche (1898–1987), D...
Devonshire was appointed as Governor Generalon the recommendation of British Prime Minister Herbert Asquith. Devonshire was initially reluctant to accept the appointment because of the opposition of his wife as well as his responsibilities in Britain but he was persuaded by his father-in-law Lord Lansdowne. The Duchess wrote to her husband’s aunt, ...
Devonshire traveled extensively in Canada during his term as Governor General, undertaking two official tours of western Canada, three tours of eastern Canada, including a 1917 visit to Halifax to inspect the damage following the Halifax explosion, and frequent tours of Ontario and Quebec. In Ottawa, Devonshire enjoyed attending hockey games and pe...
As Governor General, Devonshire acted as mediator between the British and Canadian governments concerning the question of whether British titles and honours should be bestowed on Canadians. In 1918, Borden established a committee of the Privy Council to draw up an Order-in-Council proscribing hereditary titles as well as honours granted without the...
Devonshire wrote that when he left Ottawafor the last time in 1921, “It was really horrid and I could hardly help breaking down… Very unhappy to see the end of Ottawa.” In 1922, Devonshire was offered the position of Secretary of State for India by British Prime Minister David Lloyd George, but he declined the post. Instead, he became Colonial Secr...
Devonshire was the last Governor General of Canada appointed without consultation with the Canadian government. The controversy surrounding his appointment meant that his successor, Viscount Byng, was chosen in consultation with Meighen. In 1918, Devonshire donated the Devonshire Cup to the newly formed Canadian Seniors’ Golf Association. In 1921, ...
The 9th Duke of Devonshire was a keen politician and MP from 1891. For a time, he was Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Governor-General of Canada. Victor married Lady Evelyn Fitzmaurice, daughter of the 5th Marquess of Lansdowne.
Sep 4, 2021 · Victor Cavendish, the 9th Duke of Devonshire, served as Canada's 11th Governor General from 1916 to 1921. Born in 1868, he was the eldest son of Lord Edward Cavendish and Emma Lascelles. In 1892 he married Lady Evelyn Emily Mary Petty-Fitzmaurice; they had two sons and five daughters.
- May 31, 1868
- May 6, 1938
He was created gcvo in 1912 and named to the Order of the Garter in January 1916. Devonshire learned that he was being considered for appointment as governor general of Canada, to succeed the Duke of Connaught [Arthur*], just days before the launch of the battle of the Somme on 1 July 1916.
- Robert Craig Brown
- Dictionary of Canadian Biography, vol. 16
Victor Christian William Cavendish, 9th Duke of Devonshire, known as Victor Cavendish until 1908, was a British peer and politician who served as Governor General of Canada.
Victor Christian William Cavendish, 9th Duke of Devonshire. (1868-1938), Politician, Governor-General of Canada. Sitter in 17 portraits. Cavendish entered Parliament as a Liberal Unionist MP in 1891, where he was the youngest member of the House of Commons.
