Victor Cavendish, 9th Duke of Devonshire

Victor Christian William Cavendish, 9th Duke of Devonshire, KG, GCMG, GCVO (London May 31, 1868 – May 6, 1938 Chatsworth House), was a Liberal Unionist Member of Parliament for West Derbyshire (1891–1908), Governor General of Canada (1916–1921), and Colonial Secretary (1922–1924).

Education

Born in Marylebone, beginning his education at Eton, he carried on his studies at Trinity College, Cambridge prior to beginning a career in politics in 1891.

Family life

He married Lady Evelyn Emily Mary Fitzmaurice (1870–1960), eldest daughter of Lord Lansdowne (Canada's fifth Governor General), on July 30, 1892. Together, they had two sons and five daughters. Two of their daughters married aides-de-camp to their father while he was Governor General:
# Edward Cavendish, 10th Duke of Devonshire (1895–1950); married Lady Mary Gascoyne-Cecil
# Lady Maud Louisa Emma Cavendish (1896–1975); married (1) The Hon. Angus Mackintosh (1885–1918), (2) George Evan Michael Baillie (died 1941)
# Lady Blanche Katharine Cavendish (1898–1987); married Ivan Murray Cobbold (died 1944)
# Lady Dorothy Cavendish (1900–1966); married Harold Macmillan (later Prime Minister of the United Kingdom)
# Lady Rachel Cavendish (1902–1977); married James Stuart, 1st Viscount Stuart of Findhorn (1897–1971)
# Lord Charles Arthur Francis Cavendish (1905–1944); married Adele Astaire (sister of Fred Astaire)
# Lady Anne Cavendish (born 1909)

Public Life

On the death of his father, Lord Edward Cavendish (1838–1891), who represented West Derbyshire in the House of Commons, he succeeded his father unopposed, becoming the youngest member of the House. He remained elected to that seat until 1908, when the death of his uncle made him Duke of Devonshire and a member of the House of Lords. He also acted as Treasurer to His Majesty's Household from 1900 to 1903, then Financial Secretary to the Treasury from 1903 to 1905. He was appointed Chancellor of the University of Leeds in 1909, a post he held until his death in 1938. He was Mayor of Eastbourne from 1909–10 and of Chesterfield from 1911–12, and Civil Lord of the Admiralty between 1915 and 1916, the year he was appointed Governor General of Canada.

The appointment of the Duke of Devonshire as Governor General caused brief political problems because Prime Minister Borden's government had not been consulted by the British Prime Minister. Such consultation had become an established practice, and the insult Prime Minister Borden felt at this caused considerable difficulties at the beginning.

But by the time his term ended, the Duke of Devonshire had overcome the initial suspicion surrounding his appointment. He displayed great dignity and wisdom, particularly with the many Canadians he met. Prime Ministers Borden and Meighen both came to view him as a personal friend and a friend of Canada. Borden said of the Duke of Devonshire that, "No Governor General has come with a more comprehensive grasp of public questions as they touch not only this country and the United Kingdom, but the whole Empire."

There was great social upheaval in Canada during the Duke of Devonshire's term of office. World War I still raged, and Canada continued to commit supplies and troops. The Canadian victory at Vimy Ridge in 1917 confirmed the fighting ability of Canadian troops, and fuelled Canadian pride and nationalism at home. The Duchess of Devonshire took an active part in volunteer organizations to help ease the suffering of people affected by the war, and she visited many military hospitals across the country.

The war was also causing social problems. The Canadian government introduced conscription shortly after the Duke of Devonshire's arrival. The decision was particularly divisive between French and English Canadians (see Conscription Crisis of 1917). Devonshire did what he could to encourage reconciliation, but he was very conscious of his role as Governor General, which at that time was still closely linked to the British government. As a result, he was careful to consult with Prime Minister Borden and the opposition leaders, and to not interfere in political matters.

As well, the women's suffrage movement grew in strength and, during the Duke of Devonshire's term, women were given the vote. Social unrest also came, however, in the form of the Winnipeg General Strike, as Canadians made new demands of society and of the political system that served them. Prime Minister Borden retired towards the end of the Duke of Devonshire's term, and was replaced by Arthur Meighen.

While the Duke of Devonshire did not intervene in politics, he was clearly interested in Canadians and their lives, and undertook several tours across the country. In 1918, he went to Washington to visit, informally, President Woodrow Wilson at the White House. The following year, he received the Prince of Wales in Ottawa on the Prince's first tour of Canada.

With his own experience in England as an agricultural land owner, he was extremely interested in the development of farming in Canada. During his travels, he discussed agricultural issues with farmers and others in the industry. They found he had the knowledge and expertise to back up his interest in this field.

He visited many agricultural and horticultural fairs, shows, and sugaring-off parties in the Gatineau. In 1918, the Duke of Devonshire donated the Devonshire Cup, for annual golf competition in the Canadian Seniors Golf Association. ["Golf in Canada: A History", by James A. Barclay, Toronto, McClelland and Stewart, 1992, p. 456.] In 1921, the Duke of Devonshire Trophy for the Ottawa Horticultural Society was established. One of his major projects was to encourage the establishment of experimental farms, including the Government of Canada's major experimental farm, then on the outskirts of Ottawa. His speeches often spoke of Canada's potential to lead the world in agricultural research and development.

The Duke of Devonshire was also a patron of the arts. He often visited the National Gallery of Canada, and encouraged frequent theatrical performances at Rideau Hall. Skating and tobogganing parties also continued on the grounds during the winters, where the Duchess was able to refresh the skating techniques she had learned as a girl at Rideau Hall. The Duke also loved ice hockey, and attended many matches. They also made improvements to Rideau Hall by building tennis courts and developing the gardens. And in 1918, the Duchess of Devonshire became the first woman to plant a ceremonial tree, a sugar maple, on the grounds of Rideau Hall. Of everything the Duke enjoyed about Canada, however, he especially enjoyed the residence at La Citadelle in Quebec City, and he loved spending time there.

On returning to England after his term in Canada, he worked for the League of Nations and was then Secretary of State for the Colonies until 1924. After his retirement from political life, he lived on his estate in Derbyshire where he died in 1938. Lady Evelyn died in 1960.

Ancestry

ahnentafel-compact5
style=font-size: 90%; line-height: 110%;
border=1
boxstyle=padding-top: 0; padding-bottom: 0;
boxstyle_1=background-color: #fcc;
boxstyle_2=background-color: #fb9;
boxstyle_3=background-color: #ffc;
boxstyle_4=background-color: #bfc;
boxstyle_5=background-color: #9fe;
1= 1. Victor Cavendish, 9th Duke of Devonshire
2= 2. Edward Cavendish
3= 3. Emma Lascelles
4= 4. William Cavendish, 7th Duke of Devonshire
5= 5. Blanche Georgiana Howard
6= 6. William Lascelles
7= 7. Caroline Georgiana Howard
8= 8. William Cavendish
9= 9. Louisa O'Callaghan
10= 10. George Howard, 6th Earl of Carlisle
11= 11. Georgiana Cavendish
12= 12. Henry Lascelles, 2nd Earl of Harewood
13= 13. Henrietta Sebright
14= 14. George Howard, 6th Earl of Carlisle (= 10)
15= 15. Georgiana Cavendish (= 11)
16= 16. George Cavendish, 1st Earl of Burlington
17= 17. Elizabeth Compton
18= 18. Cornelius O'Callaghan, 1st Baron Lismore
19= 19. Frances Ponsonby
20= 20. Frederick Howard, 5th Earl of Carlisle
21= 21. Margaret Caroline Leveson-Gower
22= 22. William Cavendish, 5th Duke of Devonshire
23= 23. Georgiana Spencer
24= 24. Edward Lascelles, 1st Earl of Harewood
25= 25. Anne Chaloner
26= 26. John Sebright, 6th Baronet
27= 27. Sarah Knight
28= 28. Frederick Howard, 5th Earl of Carlisle (= 20)
29= 29. Margaret Caroline Leveson-Gower (= 21)
30= 30. William Cavendish, 5th Duke of Devonshire (= 22)
31= 31. Georgiana Spencer (= 23)

References

* [http://www.gg.ca/gg/fgg/bios/01/devonshire_e.asp Governor General of Canada's website]
* [http://www.thepeerage.com/p959.htm#i9584 thepeerage.com]

External links

* [http://www.ottawahort.org/trophies2.htm The Devonshire Trophy] picture and description.