The Governor General, Part I
The Governor General. He/She represents HRH the King or Queen of Canada (whoever is on the throne at the time). The post exists since confederation replacing the Colonial "Governor" title. The Governor General's term is of five years although there are some exceptions to that. Since there have been 26 and would make this article 50,000 words long there will be three parts to this series. Read also the Governors of Canada prequel.
Sir Charles Stanley Monck, 4th Viscount Monck (1867-68) Was sworn in the first day of this nation, on July 1st 1867. He had been Governor of British North America since 1861 and worked for the Confederation. He was born in Ireland in 1819. When he was appointed Governor he helped ease tentions between Canada and the United States which were near war again and it was during this time that the Government of Canada purchaced Rideau Hall which became the Resident of the Governor General. His term ended one year after Confederation and he returned to Ireland. He died in 1894.
Sir John Young, 1st Baron Lisgar (1869-1872) Lord Lisgar was born in Bombay, India in 1807. During his three-year term as Governor General many events took place in which he was involved. In the Metis rebellion of 1869 and the Fenian raids into Canada in 1870, he played the part of a mediator. He played a part in convincing the British Columbia government to join Confederation and had a political role in the transfer of the North-western Territory from the Hudson's Bay Company. He also helped the growth of relations between Canada and the United States. After his term he went to Ireland, and also served as Governor in Australia. He died in 1895. Federick Temple Hamilton-Temple-Blackwood, 1st Earl of Dufferin, 1st Marquess of Dufferin and Ava (1872-78) Lord Dufferin was born in Florence, Italy in 1826. Many changes occurred during his term. In 1873, Prince Edward Island joined confederation. He established the office of the Governor General in a wing of the parliament. He created many awards for Canadians including the Governor General's Academic Medals for Canadian students. He made many changes to Rideau Hall and was the first Governor General to use La Citadelle in Quebec City as his second residence as he found the city beautiful. After his term, he returned to Great Britain and continued to have many diplomatic roles, serving as ambassador to five countries and Viceroy of India from 1879 to 1896. He died in 1902.
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