John Buchan
John Buchan, 1st Baron Tweedsmuir GCMG GCVO CH KStJ PC DL (/ˈbʌxən/; 26 August 1875 – 11 February 1940) was a Scottish novelist, historian, and Unionist politician who served as Governor General of Canada, the 15th since Canadian Confederation.
The Lord Tweedsmuir | |
|---|---|
Buchan in 1935 | |
| 15th Governor General of Canada | |
| In office 2 November 1935 – 11 February 1940 | |
| Monarchs | |
| Prime Minister | William Lyon Mackenzie King |
| Preceded by | The Earl of Bessborough |
| Succeeded by | The Earl of Athlone |
| Personal details | |
| Born | John Buchan 26 August 1875 Perth, Scotland |
| Died | 11 February 1940 (aged 64) Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
| Political party | Scottish Unionist |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 4, including John, William and Alastair |
| Relatives | O. Douglas (sister) |
| Alma mater | |
| Profession | Author |
| Signature | |
| Website | John Buchan Society |
| Writing career | |
| Genre | Adventure fiction |
| Notable works | |
After a brief legal career, Buchan simultaneously began his writing career and his political and diplomatic careers, serving as a private secretary to the administrator of various colonies in southern Africa. He eventually wrote propaganda for the British war effort during the First World War. He was elected Member of Parliament for the Combined Scottish Universities in 1927, but he spent most of his time on his writing career, notably writing The Thirty-Nine Steps and other adventure fiction.
In 1935, King George V, on the advice of Prime Minister R. B. Bennett, appointed Buchan to replace the Earl of Bessborough as Governor General of Canada, for which purpose Buchan was raised to the peerage. He occupied the post until his death in 1940. Buchan was enthusiastic about literacy and the development of Canadian culture, and he received a state funeral in Canada before his ashes were returned to the United Kingdom.