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{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2012}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2012}}
{{Infobox Governor General {{Infobox Governor General
| honorific-prefix = The Right Honourable | honorific-prefix =
| name = the Earl of Bessborough | name = The Earl of Bessborough
| honorific-suffix = GCMG PC | honorific-suffix = PC GCMG
| image = Earlofbessbourgh.jpg | image = Earlofbessbourgh.jpg
| imagesize = 160px | imagesize = 160px
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| term_end = 2 November 1935 | term_end = 2 November 1935
| predecessor = ] | predecessor = ]
| successor = ] | successor = ]
| office2 = ] | office2 = ]
| birth_date = {{birth date|df=yes|1880|10|27}} | birth_date = {{birth date|df=yes|1880|10|27}}
| birth_place = ], ] | birth_place = ], ]
| death_date = {{death date and age|df=yes|1956|03|10|1880|10|27}} | death_date = {{death date and age|df=yes|1956|03|10|1880|10|27}}
| death_place = London, England | death_place = ]
| spouse = ] | spouse = ]
| profession = ], ], and ] | profession = ], ], and ]
| religion = ] | religion = ]
|}} |}}
'''Vere Brabazon Ponsonby, 9th Earl of Bessborough''' {{Post-nominals|country=GBR|GCMG|PC}} (27 October 1880 – 10 March 1956) was a British businessman and politician who served as ], the ] since ]. '''Vere Brabazon Ponsonby, 9th Earl of Bessborough''', {{Post-nominals|country=GBR|PC|GCMG}} (27 October 1880 – 10 March 1956) was a British businessman and politician who served as ], the ] since ].


Born and educated in England, he graduated with a law degree from ] before entering politics as a member of the ] and then, in 1910, as a ] of the ]. Upon the death of his grandfather 10 years later, Ponsonby succeeded as ] and took his seat in the ]. He was in 1931 appointed as governor general by King ], on the recommendation of ] ], to replace ] as ]. Bessborough occupied that post until succeeded by ] in 1935. Bessborough is remembered for promoting new communication technologies as well as giving support to the Canadian population during the ]. Born and educated in England, he graduated with a law degree from ] before entering politics as a member of the ] and then, in 1910, as a ] of the ]. Upon the death of his grandfather 10 years later, Ponsonby succeeded as ] and took his seat in the ]. He was in 1931 appointed as governor general by King ], on the recommendation of ] ], to replace ] as ]. Bessborough occupied that post until succeeded by ] in 1935. Bessborough is remembered for promoting new communication technologies as well as giving support to the Canadian population during the ].


After the end of his viceregal tenure, he returned to London, where he continued in business and also work with the ] before his death in March 1956. After the end of his viceregal tenure, he returned to London, where he continued in business and also work with the ] before his death in March 1956.
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Six years later, on 25 June 1912, Duncannon married ], with whom he had four children: ], born 29 March 1913; Desmond, born 4 August 1915; ], born 2 March 1918; and George, born 14 August 1931. Desmond, however, did not live past the age of ten, dying on 8 April 1925 from a riding accident,<ref name=GGPons>{{cite web|url=http://www.gg.ca/document.aspx?id=15418&lan=eng| last=Office of the Governor General of Canada| title=Home > History > Former Governors General > British > The Earl of Bessborough 1931-1935| publisher=Queen's Printer for Canada| accessdate=5 September 2015}}</ref> and George, who was born in Canada and given the middle name ''St. Lawrence'' (after ]),<ref name=GGPons /> would also predecease his father on 16 May 1951. Six years later, on 25 June 1912, Duncannon married ], with whom he had four children: ], born 29 March 1913; Desmond, born 4 August 1915; ], born 2 March 1918; and George, born 14 August 1931. Desmond, however, did not live past the age of ten, dying on 8 April 1925 from a riding accident,<ref name=GGPons>{{cite web|url=http://www.gg.ca/document.aspx?id=15418&lan=eng| last=Office of the Governor General of Canada| title=Home > History > Former Governors General > British > The Earl of Bessborough 1931-1935| publisher=Queen's Printer for Canada| accessdate=5 September 2015}}</ref> and George, who was born in Canada and given the middle name ''St. Lawrence'' (after ]),<ref name=GGPons /> would also predecease his father on 16 May 1951.


Prior to his marriage, Duncannon entered politics, being elected to a seat on the ] between 1907 and 1910, before ] to the ] as the Member of Parliament (MP) for ]. He lost that seat in the ], but ] as the MP for ]. Prior to his marriage, Duncannon entered politics, being elected to a seat on the ] (as a ]) between 1907 and 1910, before ] to the ] as the Member of Parliament (]) for ]. He lost that seat in the ], but ] as the MP for ].


By the following year, however, the ] broke out and, whilst retaining his parliamentary seat, Ponsonby enlisted and was commissioned as a ] in ], then was transferred on 11 November 1914 at the same rank to the ] (both units were part of the ] and were sent into action overseas), where he was later appointed ], then a temporary ].<ref name=LG28969>{{London Gazette |issue=28969 |date=10 November 1914 |startpage=9143 |accessdate=27 April 2012 }}</ref> He served at ] in 1915 and, from 1916 to 1918, on the military staff in France. During his wartime service, he was ], awarded the ''Croix de chevalier'' of the French ], and appointed to the Italian ], the Belgian ], Greece's ], and as a Third Class member of the Russian ]. At the conclusion of the war, Ponsonby was made a Companion of the ] by King ] in the ] for 1919.<ref name=camalumni/><ref name=EG13147>{{London Gazette |issue=13147 |date=25 September 1917 |startpage=2073 |city=e }}</ref><ref name=LG30338>{{London Gazette| issue=30338| startpage=10680| supp=y| date=16 October 1917| accessdate=18 April 2010 |nolink=yes }}</ref> By the following year, however, the ] broke out and, whilst retaining his parliamentary seat, Ponsonby joined the ] and was commissioned as a ] in ], then was transferred on 11 November 1914 at the same rank to the ] (both units were part of the ] and were sent into action overseas), where he was later appointed ], then an ].<ref name=LG28969>{{London Gazette |issue=28969 |date=10 November 1914 |startpage=9143 |accessdate=27 April 2012 }}</ref> He served at ] in 1915 and, from 1916 to 1918, on the military staff in France. During his wartime service, he was ], appointed ] of France, and to the Italian ], the Belgian ], Greece's ], as well as a Third Class Member of the Russian ]. At the conclusion of the ], Ponsonby was appointed a ] in the ].<ref name=camalumni/><ref name=EG13147>{{London Gazette |issue=13147 |date=25 September 1917 |startpage=2073 |city=e }}</ref><ref name=LG30338>{{London Gazette| issue=30338| startpage=10680| supp=y| date=16 October 1917| accessdate=18 April 2010 |nolink=yes }}</ref>
], near ], England, was purchased by Ponsonby in 1924]] ], near ], ], was purchased by Lord Bessborough in 1924]]


After the death of his father on 1 December 1920, he succeeded to the ] in the ], after which he was on 17 December appointed as ], thus resigning his seat in the ] to take his seat in the ].<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=32169| startpage=12484| date=21 December 1920| accessdate=18 April 2010 |nolink=yes }}</ref> The Earl also pursued a successful business career, holding directorships in several large commercial firms, including acting as head of both the ] and the ], as well as deputy chairman of ].<ref name=TCE/> After the death of his ] on 1 December 1920, he succeeded to the ] ], prompting him on 17 December to apply to be ], thus resigning his seat in the ] allowing him to enter the ].<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=32169| startpage=12484| date=21 December 1920| accessdate=18 April 2010 |nolink=yes }}</ref> The ] also pursued a successful business career, holding directorships in several large commercial firms, including acting as head of both the ] and the ], as well as deputy chairman of ].<ref name=TCE/>


==Governor General of Canada== ==Governor General of Canada==
It was announced in early 1931 that King George V had, by commission under the ] and ], approved the recommendation of his ], ], with input from ] ], to appoint Bessborough as his representative. This came as somewhat of a surprise, as he was the only businessman to have ever been appointed governor general. It was announced in early 1931 that King George V had, by ], approved ] ]'s recommendation with advice from ] ], to appoint Bessborough as the sovereign's representative. This came as somewhat of a surprise, as then he was the only businessman to have been appointed to the office of ].


After being sworn into ] on 20 March 1931,<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=33700| startpage=1877| date=20 March 1931| accessdate=18 April 2010 |nolink=yes }}</ref> Bessborough travelled to Canada and was sworn in as governor general on 4 April, right in the midst of the ]. In his ensuing travels as viceroy, Bessborough witnessed the struggles of Canadians during this period, and praised their tenacity; in ], he stated in a speech: "There is nothing more encouraging and cheering than the calm steady way Canadians have pursued their daily tasks during the difficult period with a supreme faith in the destiny of their country."<ref name=GGPons /> As a sign of his sympathy with the majority of the populace, he gave up 10% of his salary.<ref name=TCE>{{Cite book| last=Hillmer| first=Norman| contribution=Biography > Governors General of Canada > Bessborough, Vere Brabazon| title=The Canadian Encyclopedia| editor-last=Marsh| editor-first=James H.| place=Toronto| publisher=Historica Foundation of Canada| url=http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0000709| accessdate=31 March 2009}}</ref> After being sworn of ] on 20 March 1931,<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=33700| startpage=1877| date=20 March 1931| accessdate=18 April 2010 |nolink=yes }}</ref> Bessborough travelled to ] becoming Governor General on 4 April, right in the midst of the ]. In his ensuing travels as viceroy, Bessborough witnessed the struggles of Canadians during this period, and praised their tenacity; in ], he stated in a speech: "There is nothing more encouraging and cheering than the calm steady way Canadians have pursued their daily tasks during the difficult period with a supreme faith in the destiny of their country."<ref name=GGPons /> As a sign of his sympathy with the majority of the populace, he gave up 10% of his salary.<ref name=TCE>{{Cite book| last=Hillmer| first=Norman| contribution=Biography > Governors General of Canada > Bessborough, Vere Brabazon| title=The Canadian Encyclopedia| editor-last=Marsh| editor-first=James H.| place=Toronto| publisher=Historica Foundation of Canada| url=http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0000709| accessdate=31 March 2009}}</ref>
] hotel, Saskatoon]] ] ], ]]]


Despite the economic situation, Canada was gaining international stature, and Bessborough acted as host to the leaders who, in July 1932, converged on ] for the ] and he presided over the opening of the ] the same year. The Governor General also received a number of foreign dignitaries, including ] and his wife, ]; ] of ] and his consort, Queen ]; and ], then a member of the British parliament. There were also a number of technological firsts that took place during Bessborough's tenure: his installation ceremony was the first to be broadcast by radio; in 1932, from the governor general's study at ], he inaugurated the first trans-Canada telephone line by calling each of the ]; and, as ], he created the ]. Bessborough was also the first Canadian viceroy to fly the new ], created in 1931.<ref name=GGPons/> Despite the economic situation, Canada was gaining international stature, and Bessborough helped by inviting national leaders who, in July 1932, converged on ] for the ] and he also presided over the opening of the ] the same year. The Governor General welcomed a number of foreign dignitaries, including ] and his wife, ]; ] of ] and his consort, ] ]; and ], then a British Member of Parliament. There were also a number of technological firsts that took place during Bessborough's tenure: his installation ceremony was the first to be broadcast by radio; in 1932, from the governor general's study at ], he inaugurated the first trans-Canada telephone line by calling each of the ]; and, as ], he created the ]. Bessborough was also the first Canadian viceroy to fly the new ], created in 1931.<ref name=GGPons/>


The Earl's tenure as governor general coincided with the celebrations in May 1935 for the ] of the King's reign, part of which included his launching the King's Jubilee Cancer Fund with a radio broadcast from Rideau Hall, and also initiated a campaign to increase the membership of the ]. But the most prominent mark that Bessborough left on Canada was the ],<ref name=Kalbfleisch>{{cite news| url=http://www2.canada.com/components/print.aspx?id=3d2bef91-aa4a-4ec7-aa43-549437b8cb9f| title=Shipping heiress kept theatre alive in Montreal| last=Kalbfleisch| first=John| date=29 March 2009| newspaper=Montreal Gazette| publisher=Canwest| accessdate=29 March 2009}}</ref> which was developed with the assistance of future governor general ] and ] and first held in April 1933, and awarded the Bessborough Trophy to the best amateur theatrical company in the country.<ref name=GGPons/> Lord Bessborough's tenure as Governor General coincided with the celebrations in May 1935 for the ] of the King's reign, part of which included his launching the King's Jubilee Cancer Fund with a radio broadcast from Rideau Hall, and also initiated a campaign to increase the membership of the ]. But the most prominent mark that Bessborough left on Canada was the ],<ref name=Kalbfleisch>{{cite news| url=http://www2.canada.com/components/print.aspx?id=3d2bef91-aa4a-4ec7-aa43-549437b8cb9f| title=Shipping heiress kept theatre alive in Montreal| last=Kalbfleisch| first=John| date=29 March 2009| newspaper=Montreal Gazette| publisher=Canwest| accessdate=29 March 2009}}</ref> which was developed with the assistance of future governor general ] and ] and first held in April 1933, and awarded the Bessborough Trophy to the best amateur theatrical company in the country.<ref name=GGPons/>


==Post-viceregal life== ==Post-viceregal life==
After life in Canada, Bessborough returned to London and to his businesses, being advanced in the ], on 2 June 1937, as Earl of Bessborough for his viceregal services.<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=34405| startpage=3663| date=8 June 1937| supp=y| accessdate=29 March 2009 |nolink=yes }}</ref> As such, he took part in ] of King ].<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=34453| startpage=7059| date=10 November 1937| accessdate=18 April 2010 |nolink=yes }}</ref> His activities were not all business related, however; during the ], Bessborough helped in the establishment of a department in the ] dedicated to the welfare of ] ]s in the United Kingdom. After life in Canada, Bessborough returned to ] and to his businesses, being advanced in the ], on 2 June 1937, as Earl of Bessborough for his viceregal services.<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=34405| startpage=3663| date=8 June 1937| supp=y| accessdate=29 March 2009 |nolink=yes }}</ref> As such, he took part in ].<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=34453| startpage=7059| date=10 November 1937| accessdate=18 April 2010 |nolink=yes }}</ref> His activities were not all business related; during the ], Bessborough helped in the establishment of a department in the ] dedicated to the ] of ] ]s in the United Kingdom.


In 1956, the Earl returned once more to Canada, staying at ] as a guest of the then-Governor General, Vincent Massey, before he died the following year at the ] he purchased in 1924, ].<ref name=GGPons /> In 1956, the Earl returned once more to Canada, staying at ] as a guest of the then-Governor General, Vincent Massey, before he died the following year at the ] he purchased in 1924, ].<ref name=GGPons />


==Titles, styles, and honours== ==Titles, styles, and honours==
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* '''1903{{spaced ndash}}1906''': ''The Honourable'' Vere Ponsonby * '''1903{{spaced ndash}}1906''': ''The Honourable'' Vere Ponsonby
* '''1906{{spaced ndash}}1 December 1920''': ] * '''1906{{spaced ndash}}1 December 1920''': ]
* '''1 December 1920{{spaced ndash}}4 April 1931''': ''The Right Honourable'' the Earl of Bessborough * '''1 December 1920{{spaced ndash}}4 April 1931''': ''The Right Honourable'' The Earl of Bessborough
* '''4 April 1931{{spaced ndash}}11 December 1931''': ''His Excellency the Right Honourable'' the Earl of Bessborough, Governor General of Canada * '''4 April 1931{{spaced ndash}}11 December 1931''': ''His Excellency and Right Honourable'' The Earl of Bessborough, Governor General of Canada
* '''11 December 1931{{spaced ndash}}10 March 1956''': ''The Right Honourable'' the Earl of Bessborough * '''11 December 1931{{spaced ndash}}10 March 1956''': ''The Right Honourable'' The Earl of Bessborough


;{{flagicon|Canada|1921}} Canada ;{{flagicon|Canada|1921}} Canada
* '''11 December 1931{{spaced ndash}}2 November 1935''': ''His Excellency the Right Honourable'' the Earl of Bessborough, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of the Militia and Naval and Air Forces of Canada{{#tag:ref|The ] came into effect on 11 December 1931, thereby ending the ability of the ] to legislate for Canada, including the conferring of titles. Thereafter, the governor general was titled via ] from the monarch acting solely in his capacity as ], on the advice of Canadian ].|group=n|name=Title}} * '''11 December 1931{{spaced ndash}}2 November 1935''': ''His Excellency the Right Honourable'' The Earl of Bessborough, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of the Militia and Naval and Air Forces of Canada{{#tag:ref|The ] came into effect on 11 December 1931, thereby ending the ability of the ] to legislate for Canada, including the conferring of titles. Thereafter, the Governor General was appointed via ] from the ] acting solely in his capacity as ], on the advice of Canadian ].|group=n|name=Title}}


===Honours=== ===Honours===
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====Honorary degrees==== ====Honorary degrees====
* {{flagicon|Canada|1921}} '''1932''': ], ] (LLD)<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.uofaweb.ualberta.ca/senate/honorarydegreeslist.cfm#P| title=University of Alberta Senate > Honorary Degrees > Past Honorary Degree Recipients > P| publisher=University of Alberta| accessdate=28 April 2009}}</ref> * {{flagicon|Canada|1921}} '''1932''': ], ] (Hon. LLD)<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.uofaweb.ualberta.ca/senate/honorarydegreeslist.cfm#P| title=University of Alberta Senate > Honorary Degrees > Past Honorary Degree Recipients > P| publisher=University of Alberta| accessdate=28 April 2009}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Canada|1921}}: ], Doctor of Laws (LLD)<ref name=peerage/> * {{flagicon|Canada|1921}}: ], Doctor of Laws (Hon. LLD)<ref name=peerage/>
* {{flagicon|Canada|1921}}: ], Doctor of Laws (LLD)<ref name=peerage/> * {{flagicon|Canada|1921}}: ], Doctor of Laws (Hon. LLD)<ref name=peerage/>
* {{flagicon|Quebec}}: ], Doctor of Laws (DCL)<ref name=peerage/> * {{flagicon|Quebec}}: ], Doctor of Laws (Hon. DCL)<ref name=peerage/>


{{Expand list|date=June 2009}} {{Expand list|date=June 2009}}
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== External links == == External links ==
* {{Hansard-contribs | viscount-duncannon | the Earl of Bessborough }} * {{Hansard-contribs | viscount-duncannon | The Earl of Bessborough }}
* *
* *
* *


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{{s-bef|before=]}} {{s-bef|before=]}}
{{s-ttl|title=]|years=1931{{ndash}}1935}} {{s-ttl|title=]|years=1931{{ndash}}1935}}
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{{succession box {{succession box
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| years = ]{{spaced ndash}}] | years = ]{{spaced ndash}}]
| before = ] | before = ]
| after = ]<!-- baronetcy conferred 1917, so don't display title --> | after = ]<!-- baronetcy conferred 1917, so don't display title -->
}} }}
{{succession box {{succession box
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| years = ]{{ndash}}] | years = ]{{ndash}}]
| before = ] | before = ]
| after = ] | after = ]
}} }}
{{s-reg|ie}} {{s-reg|ie}}
{{s-bef| before = ] }} {{s-bef| before = ] }}
{{s-ttl| title = ] {{s-ttl| title = ]
| years = 1920{{ndash}}1956 }} | years = 1920{{ndash}}1956 }}
{{s-aft| after = ] }} {{s-aft| after = ] }}
{{s-reg|uk}} {{s-reg|uk}}
{{s-new|creation}} {{s-new|creation}}
{{s-ttl| title = ] {{s-ttl| title = ]
| years = 1937{{ndash}}1956 }} | years = 1937{{ndash}}1956 }}
{{s-aft| after = ] }} {{s-aft| after = ] }}
{{s-end}} {{s-end}}


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{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see ]. --> {{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see ]. -->
| NAME =Bessborough, Vere Ponsonby, 9th Earl of | NAME =Bessborough, Vere Ponsonby, 9th Earl of
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES = | ALTERNATIVE NAMES =Lord Bessborough
| SHORT DESCRIPTION = British politician | SHORT DESCRIPTION =British politician
| DATE OF BIRTH =27 October 1880 | DATE OF BIRTH =27 October 1880
| PLACE OF BIRTH =London, England | PLACE OF BIRTH =London, UK
| DATE OF DEATH =10 March 1956 | DATE OF DEATH =10 March 1956
| PLACE OF DEATH =London, England | PLACE OF DEATH =London, UK
}} }}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bessborough, Vere Ponsonby, 9th Earl of}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Bessborough, Vere Ponsonby, 9th Earl of}}

Revision as of 21:44, 27 January 2016

The Earl of BessboroughPC GCMG
14th Governor-General of Canada
In office
4 April 1931 – 2 November 1935
MonarchGeorge V
Prime MinisterCanadian
  • R. B. Bennett
  • W. L. M. King
British
  • Ramsay MacDonald
Preceded byThe Earl of Willingdon
Succeeded byThe Baron Tweedsmuir
More...
Personal details
Born(1880-10-27)27 October 1880
London, England
Died10 March 1956(1956-03-10) (aged 75)
London, England
SpouseRoberte, Countess of Bessborough
ProfessionDiplomat, businessman, and parliamentarian

Vere Brabazon Ponsonby, 9th Earl of Bessborough, PC GCMG (27 October 1880 – 10 March 1956) was a British businessman and politician who served as Governor General of Canada, the 14th since Canadian Confederation.

Born and educated in England, he graduated with a law degree from Cambridge University before entering politics as a member of the London County Council and then, in 1910, as a Member of the British House of Commons. Upon the death of his grandfather 10 years later, Ponsonby succeeded as Earl of Bessborough and took his seat in the House of Lords. He was in 1931 appointed as governor general by King George V, on the recommendation of British Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald, to replace the Earl of Willingdon as viceroy. Bessborough occupied that post until succeeded by Lord Tweedsmuir in 1935. Bessborough is remembered for promoting new communication technologies as well as giving support to the Canadian population during the Great Depression.

After the end of his viceregal tenure, he returned to London, where he continued in business and also work with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office before his death in March 1956.

Early life, education, and career

Ponsonby was born in London the first son and third child of Edward, 8th Earl of Bessborough and Blanche née Guest; her father Sir Josiah Guest was a great-uncle of Sir Winston Churchill. He attended Harrow School before in 1898 going up to Trinity College, Cambridge, graduating in 1901 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Two years later, he had started a career in law, being called to the Bar at the Inner Temple. After his father succeeded as Earl of Bessborough in 1906, he used the courtesy title of Viscount Duncannon.

The Earl of Bessborough and his wife, Roberte, 1933

Six years later, on 25 June 1912, Duncannon married Roberte de Neuflize, with whom he had four children: Frederick, born 29 March 1913; Desmond, born 4 August 1915; Moyra Blanche Madeleine, born 2 March 1918; and George, born 14 August 1931. Desmond, however, did not live past the age of ten, dying on 8 April 1925 from a riding accident, and George, who was born in Canada and given the middle name St. Lawrence (after the river), would also predecease his father on 16 May 1951.

Prior to his marriage, Duncannon entered politics, being elected to a seat on the London County Council (as a CC) between 1907 and 1910, before being elected on 10 February 1910 to the British House of Commons as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Cheltenham. He lost that seat in the election of 19 December that same year, but re-entered the Commons in 1913 as the MP for Dover.

By the following year, however, the First World War broke out and, whilst retaining his parliamentary seat, Ponsonby joined the Army and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in Royal Bucks Hussars, then was transferred on 11 November 1914 at the same rank to the Suffolk Hussars (both units were part of the Territorial Force and were sent into action overseas), where he was later appointed Captain, then an Acting Major. He served at Gallipoli in 1915 and, from 1916 to 1918, on the military staff in France. During his wartime service, he was mentioned in dispatches, appointed Chevalier of the Legion of Honour of France, and to the Italian Order of St Maurice and St Lazarus, the Belgian Order of Leopold II, Greece's Order of the Redeemer, as well as a Third Class Member of the Russian Order of St Anna. At the conclusion of the War, Ponsonby was appointed a Companion of the Order of St. Michael and St. George in the 1919 New Year Honours List.

Stansted House, near Chichester, Sussex, was purchased by Lord Bessborough in 1924

After the death of his father on 1 December 1920, he succeeded to the Irish earldom of Bessborough, prompting him on 17 December to apply to be Crown Steward and Bailiff of the Three Hundreds of Chiltern, thus resigning his seat in the House of Commons allowing him to enter the House of Lords. The earl also pursued a successful business career, holding directorships in several large commercial firms, including acting as head of both the São Paulo Railway and the Margarine Union, as well as deputy chairman of De Beers Consolidated Mines.

Governor General of Canada

It was announced in early 1931 that King George V had, by Royal Sign Manual, approved British Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald's recommendation with advice from Canadian Prime Minister Richard Bennett, to appoint Bessborough as the sovereign's representative. This came as somewhat of a surprise, as then he was the only businessman to have been appointed to the office of governor-general.

After being sworn of the UK Privy Council on 20 March 1931, Bessborough travelled to Canada becoming Governor General on 4 April, right in the midst of the Great Depression. In his ensuing travels as viceroy, Bessborough witnessed the struggles of Canadians during this period, and praised their tenacity; in Shawbridge, Quebec, he stated in a speech: "There is nothing more encouraging and cheering than the calm steady way Canadians have pursued their daily tasks during the difficult period with a supreme faith in the destiny of their country." As a sign of his sympathy with the majority of the populace, he gave up 10% of his salary.

The Delta Bessborough Hotel, Saskatoon

Despite the economic situation, Canada was gaining international stature, and Bessborough helped by inviting national leaders who, in July 1932, converged on Ottawa for the Imperial Economic Conference and he also presided over the opening of the Welland Canal the same year. The Governor General welcomed a number of foreign dignitaries, including Prince Takamatsu and his wife, Princess Takamatsu; King Rama VII of Siam and his consort, Queen Ramphaiphanni; and the Rt Hon Winston Churchill, then a British Member of Parliament. There were also a number of technological firsts that took place during Bessborough's tenure: his installation ceremony was the first to be broadcast by radio; in 1932, from the governor general's study at Rideau Hall, he inaugurated the first trans-Canada telephone line by calling each of the Lieutenant Governors; and, as Governor-in-Council, he created the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Bessborough was also the first Canadian viceroy to fly the new standard dedicated to that office, created in 1931.

Lord Bessborough's tenure as Governor General coincided with the celebrations in May 1935 for the Silver Jubilee of the King's reign, part of which included his launching the King's Jubilee Cancer Fund with a radio broadcast from Rideau Hall, and also initiated a campaign to increase the membership of the Scouts. But the most prominent mark that Bessborough left on Canada was the Dominion Drama Festival, which was developed with the assistance of future governor general Vincent Massey and Henry C. Osborne and first held in April 1933, and awarded the Bessborough Trophy to the best amateur theatrical company in the country.

Post-viceregal life

After life in Canada, Bessborough returned to London and to his businesses, being advanced in the peerage of the United Kingdom, on 2 June 1937, as Earl of Bessborough for his viceregal services. As such, he took part in the Coronation of King George VI. His activities were not all business related; during the Second World War, Bessborough helped in the establishment of a department in the British Foreign Office dedicated to the welfare of French refugees in the United Kingdom.

In 1956, the Earl returned once more to Canada, staying at Rideau Hall as a guest of the then-Governor General, Vincent Massey, before he died the following year at the country house he purchased in 1924, Stansted House.

Titles, styles, and honours

Titles

Viceregal styles of
The Earl of Bessborough
(1931–1935)
Reference styleHis Excellency the Right Honourable
Son Excellence le très honourable
Spoken styleYour Excellency
Votre Excellence
United Kingdom United Kingdom
  • 27 October 1880 – 1903: Mister Vere Ponsonby
  • 1903 – 1906: The Honourable Vere Ponsonby
  • 1906 – 1 December 1920: Viscount Duncannon
  • 1 December 1920 – 4 April 1931: The Right Honourable The Earl of Bessborough
  • 4 April 1931 – 11 December 1931: His Excellency and Right Honourable The Earl of Bessborough, Governor General of Canada
  • 11 December 1931 – 10 March 1956: The Right Honourable The Earl of Bessborough
Canada Canada
  • 11 December 1931 – 2 November 1935: His Excellency the Right Honourable The Earl of Bessborough, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of the Militia and Naval and Air Forces of Canada

Honours

Ribbon bars of the Earl of Bessborough
Appointments
Légion d'honneur insignia
Medals
Foreign honours
Member, Order of St. Anna insignia

Honorary military appointments

Honorary degrees

This list is incomplete; you can help by adding missing items. (June 2009)

Honorific eponyms

Bessborough Armoury, Vancouver
Awards
Buildings
Schools

Notes

  1. The Statute of Westminster came into effect on 11 December 1931, thereby ending the ability of the sovereign of the United Kingdom to legislate for Canada, including the conferring of titles. Thereafter, the Governor General was appointed via letters patent from the monarch acting solely in his capacity as sovereign of Canada, on the advice of Canadian ministers of the Crown.

References

  1. ^ "Ponsonby, the Hon. Vere Brabazon (PNSY898VB)". A Cambridge Alumni Database. University of Cambridge.
  2. ^ Office of the Governor General of Canada. "Home > History > Former Governors General > British > The Earl of Bessborough 1931-1935". Queen's Printer for Canada. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
  3. "No. 28969". The London Gazette. 10 November 1914.
  4. ^ "No. 13147". The Edinburgh Gazette. 25 September 1917.
  5. ^ "No. 30338". The London Gazette (Supplement). 16 October 1917.
  6. "No. 32169". The London Gazette. 21 December 1920.
  7. ^ Hillmer, Norman. "Biography > Governors General of Canada > Bessborough, Vere Brabazon". In Marsh, James H. (ed.). The Canadian Encyclopedia. Toronto: Historica Foundation of Canada. Retrieved 31 March 2009.
  8. "No. 33700". The London Gazette. 20 March 1931.
  9. Kalbfleisch, John (29 March 2009). "Shipping heiress kept theatre alive in Montreal". Montreal Gazette. Canwest. Retrieved 29 March 2009.
  10. "No. 34405". The London Gazette (Supplement). 8 June 1937.
  11. "No. 34453". The London Gazette. 10 November 1937.
  12. "No. 13384". The Edinburgh Gazette. 1 January 1919.
  13. "No. 33690". The London Gazette. 17 February 1931.
  14. "No. 33700". The London Gazette. 20 March 1931.
  15. "No. 34064". The London Gazette. 26 June 1934.
  16. "No. 31615". The London Gazette. 24 October 1919.
  17. ^ Mosley, Charles, ed. (2003), Burke's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage, vol. 3 (107 ed.), Wilmington: Burke's Peerage (Genealogical Books) Ltd, p. 363
  18. "University of Alberta Senate > Honorary Degrees > Past Honorary Degree Recipients > P". University of Alberta. Retrieved 28 April 2009.
  19. "Clear Water Academy > Our School > Facilities". Clear Water Academy. Retrieved 31 March 2009.

External links

Government offices
Preceded byThe Earl of Willingdon Governor General of Canada
1931–1935 		Succeeded byThe Baron Tweedsmuir
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded byJohn Edward Sears Member of Parliament for Cheltenham
Jan 1910 – Dec 1910 		Succeeded bySir Richard Mathias
Preceded byGeorge Wyndham Member of Parliament for Dover
1913–1920 		Succeeded bySir Thomas Polson
Peerage of Ireland
Preceded byEdward, 8th Earl of Bessborough Earl of Bessborough
1920–1956 		Succeeded byFrederick, 10th Earl of Bessborough
Peerage of the United Kingdom
New creation Earl of Bessborough
1937–1956 		Succeeded byFrederick, 2nd and 10th Earl of Bessborough
Governors general of Canada

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