John Buchan, 1st Baron Tweedsmuir - Revision history

Tom Mills: /* Life as an author and politician */ link

2008-12-24T10:26:56Z

Life as an author and politician: link

Tom Mills: /* See also */ James Buchan added

2008-09-30T13:38:28Z

David: /* Notes */

2008-08-03T11:03:23Z

Notes

Tom Griffin: category edit

2008-06-06T13:25:44Z

category edit

Tom Griffin: Category:British Military Intelligence

2008-06-06T13:23:02Z

Category:British Military Intelligence

David: /* Life as an author and politician */

2008-03-31T20:29:18Z

Life as an author and politician

David: /* Life as an author and politician */

2008-03-31T20:28:36Z

Life as an author and politician

David at 20:27, 31 March 2008

2008-03-31T20:27:15Z

David: /* Reputation */

2008-03-31T19:04:16Z

Reputation

David at 20:35, 4 September 2006

2006-09-04T20:35:34Z

New page

'''John Buchan, 1st Baron Tweedsmuir''', [[Order of St Michael and St George|GCMG]], [[Royal Victorian Order|GCVO]], [[Order of the Companions of Honour|CH]], [[Privy Council of the United Kingdom|PC]] ([[26 August]] [[1875]] – [[11 February]] [[1940]]), was a [[Scotland|Scottish]] [[novelist]] and [[politician]] who served as [[Governor General of Canada]].

== Early life ==
Born in [[Perth, Scotland]] and growing up in [[Fife]], he spent many summer holidays with his grandparents in the [[Scottish Borders|Borders]], developing a love of walking and the Border scenery and its wildlife that is often featured in his novels.
He won a scholarship to the [[University of Glasgow]] where he studied [[Classics]] and wrote poetry and first became a published author. He then studied [[law]] at [[Brasenose College, Oxford]], winning the [[Newdigate prize]] for [[poetry]]. He had a genius for friendship which he retained all his life. His friends at Oxford included [[Hilaire Belloc]], [[Raymond Asquith]] and [[Aubrey Herbert]].

==Life as an author and politician==
Buchan at first entered into a career in law in 1901, but almost immediately moved into politics, becoming private secretary to [[British Empire|British colonial]] administrator [[Alfred Milner]], who was [[high commissioner]] for [[South Africa]], [[Governor]] of [[Cape Colony]] and colonial administrator of [[Transvaal]] and the [[Orange Free State]]—Buchan gained an acquaintance with the country that was to feature prominently in his writing. On his return to London, he became a partner in a publishing company while he continued to write books. Buchan married Susan Charlotte Grosvenor, cousin of the [[Duke of Westminster]], on [[July 15]] [[1907]]. Together they had four children, two of whom would spend most of their lives in [[Canada]].

In 1910, he wrote ''[[Prester John]]'', the first of his adventure novels, set in [[South Africa]]. In 1911, he first suffered from [[duodenal ulcer]]s, an illness he would give to one of his characters in later books. He also entered politics running as a [[Scottish Unionist Party|Tory]] candidate for a Border constituency.

During [[World War I]], he wrote for the War Propaganda Bureau and was a correspondent for ''[[The Times]]'' in [[France]]. In 1915, he published his most famous book ''[[The Thirty-Nine Steps]]'', a spy thriller set just before the outbreak of World War I, featuring his hero [[Richard Hannay]], who was based on a friend from South African days, [[William Edmund Ironside|Edmund Ironside]]. The following year he published a sequel ''[[Greenmantle]]''. In 1916, he joined the [[British Army]] [[Intelligence Corps]] where as a [[2nd Lieutenant]] he wrote speeches and communiques for [[Douglas Haig, 1st Earl Haig|Sir Douglas Haig]].

In 1917, he returned to Britain where he became Director of Information under [[Max Aitken, 1st Baron Beaverbrook|Lord Beaverbrook]] in 1917. After the war he began to write on historical subjects as well as continuing to write thrillers and historical novels. His career as an author was very successful, and he produced many well-respected historical works. He wrote biographies of Sir [[Walter Scott]], [[Caesar Augustus]], [[Oliver Cromwell]] and [[James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose]], but the most famous of his books were the Richard Hannay spy thrillers and it is probably for these that he is now best remembered.

''[[The 39 Steps (1935 film)|The Thirty-Nine Steps]]'' was filmed by [[Alfred Hitchcock]] in 1935.

Buchan became president of the [[Scottish Historical Society]]. He was twice [[Lord High Commissioner]] to the [[General Assembly]] of the [[Church of Scotland]] and in a 1927 [[by-election]] was elected a [[Scottish Unionist Party|Scottish Unionist]] [[Member of Parliament|MP]] for the [[Combined Scottish Universities (constituency)|Scottish Universities]]. Politically he was of the Unionist-Nationalist Tradition that believed in [[Scotland]]'s promotion as a [[nation]] within the [[British Empire]] and once remarked "I believe every Scotsman should be a Scottish nationalist. If it could be proved that a [[Scottish parliament]] were desirable...[[Scotsmen]] should support it". The effects of depression in Scotland and the subsequent high emigration also led him to say "We do not want to be like the Greeks, powerful and prosperous wherever we settle, but with a dead Greece behind us" ([[Hansard]], [[November 24]] [[1932]]). The insightful quotation "It's a great life, if you don't weaken" is also famously attributed to him.

==Life in Canada==
In 1935 he became Governor General of Canada and was created Baron Tweedsmuir. [[Prime Minister of Canada|Canadian Prime Minister]] [[William Lyon Mackenzie King]] had wanted him to go to Canada as a commoner, but King [[George V of the United Kingdom|George V]] insisted on being represented by a [[peerage|peer]].

Buchan's writing continued even after he was appointed Governor General. His later books included novels and histories and his views of Canada. He also wrote an [[autobiography]], ''Memory Hold-the-Door'', while Governor-General. His wife was a writer, producing many books and plays as [[Susan Buchan]]. While pursuing his own writing career, he also promoted the development of a distinctly Canadian culture. In 1936, encouraged by Lady Tweedsmuir, he founded the [[Governor General's Awards]], still some of Canada's premier literary awards.

Lady Tweedsmuir was active in promoting literacy in Canada. She used [[Rideau Hall]] as a distribution centre for 40,000 books, which were sent out to readers in remote areas of the west. Her programme was known as the "Lady Tweedsmuir Prairie Library Scheme". Together, Lord and Lady Tweedsmuir established the first proper [[library]] at Rideau Hall.

Tweedsmuir took his responsibilities in Canada seriously and tried to make the office of Governor General relevant to the lives of ordinary Canadians. In his own words, "a Governor General is in a unique position for it is his duty to know the whole of Canada and all the various types of her people".

Tweedsmuir travelled throughout Canada, including the [[Canadian Arctic|Arctic]] regions. He took every opportunity to speak to Canadians and to encourage them to develop their own distinct identity. He wanted to build national unity by diminishing the religious and linguistic barriers that divided the country. Tweedsmuir was aware of the suffering experienced by many Canadians due to the [[Great Depression|Depression]] and often wrote with compassion about their difficulties.

Tweedsmuir was recognized by [[University of Glasgow|Glasgow]], [[University of St Andrews|St. Andrews]], [[McGill University|McGill]], [[University of Toronto|Toronto]] and [[Université de Montréal|Montréal]] Universities, all of which conferred on him the degree of Doctor of Laws, and he was made an Honorary Fellow and an Honorary D.C.L. of [[University of Oxford|Oxford]].

When [[George V of the United Kingdom|King George V]] died in 1936, the front of Rideau Hall was covered in black crepe and Lord Tweedsmuir cancelled all entertaining during the period of mourning. The new heir to the throne, [[Edward VIII of the United Kingdom|King Edward VIII]], soon abdicated to marry [[Wallis Simpson]] – creating a crisis for the monarchy. However, when the new King, [[George VI of the United Kingdom|George VI]] and [[Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon|Queen Elizabeth]] travelled throughout Canada in 1939; the regal visit – the first visit to Canada by a reigning Sovereign – was extremely popular.

Like many people of his time, the experience of the [[First World War]] convinced Tweedsmuir of the horrors of armed conflict and he worked with both [[United States]] President [[Franklin Delano Roosevelt|Roosevelt]] and Prime Minister Mackenzie King in trying to avert the ever-growing threat of another world war.

While shaving on [[February 6]] [[1940]], Tweedsmuir had a stroke and injured his head badly in the fall. He received the best possible care – Canada's famous Dr. [[Wilder Penfield]] operated twice – but the injury proved fatal. On [[February 11]], just 10 months before his term of office was to expire, Tweedsmuir died. Prime Minister Mackenzie King reflected the loss that all Canadians felt when he read the following words over the radio, "In the passing of His Excellency, the people of Canada have lost one of the greatest and most revered of their Governors General, and a friend who, from the day of his arrival in this country, dedicated his life to their service."

This was the first time a Governor General had died during his term of office since [[Canadian Confederation|Confederation]]. After the [[lying-in-state]] in the Senate Chamber, a [[state funeral]] for Lord Tweedsmuir was held at [[St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church (Ottawa)|St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church]] in [[Ottawa]]. His ashes were returned to England on the warship H.M.S. Orion for final burial at [[Elsfield]], where he had bought the Manor in 1920.

== Reputation ==
In recent years in common with many of his contemporaries, Buchan's reputation has been tarnished by the lack of [[political correctness]] perceived, with hindsight, in his novels. However, in many other ways, his work stands the test of time, and he is currently undergoing a resurgence in popularity.

Buchan had a reputation for discretion. He was involved with the [[Intelligence Corps]] as a propagandist during World War I and may have had an involvement with [[British intelligence]] later; he is cited as having some involvement during the years leading to the Second World War by Canadian-born British spymaster [[William Stephenson]] but the books about him are not always reliable.

In the 1930s Buchan gave financial and moral support to the poor, young [[academic]] [[Roberto Weiss]], as Buchan was fascinated by the [[classical antiquity]] period Weiss studied, and wished to support this.

His autobiography "Memory Hold the Door" (Published as Pilgrims Way in the USA) was said to be John F. Kennedy's favourite book although a list given to Life magazine in 1961 quoted "Montrose" at the head of the list.

@@ Line 9: / Line 9: @@
 In 1910, he wrote ''[[Prester John]]'', the first of his adventure novels, set in South Africa. In 1911, he first suffered from duodenal ulcers, an illness he would give to one of his characters in later books. He also entered politics running as a [[Scottish Unionist Party|Tory]] candidate for a Border constituency.
-During [[World War I]], he wrote for the War Propaganda Bureau and was a correspondent for ''[[The Times]]'' in France. In 1915, he published his most famous book ''[[The Thirty-Nine Steps]]'', a spy thriller set just before the outbreak of World War I, featuring his hero [[Richard Hannay]], who was based on a friend from South African days, [[William Edmund Ironside|Edmund Ironside]]. The following year he published a sequel ''[[Greenmantle]]''. In 1916, he joined the [[British Army]] [[Intelligence Corps]] where as a 2nd Lieutenant he wrote speeches and communiques for [[Douglas Haig, 1st Earl Haig|Sir Douglas Haig]].
+During [[World War I]], he wrote for the [[British War Propaganda Bureau]] and was a correspondent for ''[[The Times]]'' in France. In 1915, he published his most famous book ''[[The Thirty-Nine Steps]]'', a spy thriller set just before the outbreak of World War I, featuring his hero [[Richard Hannay]], who was based on a friend from South African days, [[William Edmund Ironside|Edmund Ironside]]. The following year he published a sequel ''[[Greenmantle]]''. In 1916, he joined the [[British Army]] [[Intelligence Corps]] where as a 2nd Lieutenant he wrote speeches and communiques for [[Douglas Haig, 1st Earl Haig|Sir Douglas Haig]].
 In 1917, he returned to Britain where he became Director of Information under [[Max Aitken, 1st Baron Beaverbrook|Lord Beaverbrook]] in 1917. After the war he began to write on historical subjects as well as continuing to write  thrillers and historical novels.  His career as an author was very successful, and he produced many well-respected historical works. He wrote biographies of Sir [[Walter Scott]], [[Caesar Augustus]], [[Oliver Cromwell]] and [[James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose]], but the most famous of his books were the Richard Hannay spy thrillers and it is probably for these that he is now best remembered.

@@ Line 35: / Line 35: @@
 ==See also==
 *[[Alastair Buchan]], son
 ==Notes==

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:03, 3 August 2008
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	Buchan had a reputation for discretion. He was involved with the [[Intelligence Corps]] as a propagandist during World War I and may have had an involvement with [[British intelligence]] later; he is cited as having some involvement during the years leading to the Second World War by Canadian-born British spymaster [[William Stephenson]] but the books about him are not always reliable.		Buchan had a reputation for discretion. He was involved with the [[Intelligence Corps]] as a propagandist during World War I and may have had an involvement with [[British intelligence]] later; he is cited as having some involvement during the years leading to the Second World War by Canadian-born British spymaster [[William Stephenson]] but the books about him are not always reliable.
		+
		+	==See also==
		+	*[[Alastair Buchan]], son

	==Notes==		==Notes==

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−	[[Category:British Military Intelligence]]	+	[[Category:British Military Intelligence\|Buchan, John]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:23, 6 June 2008
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	<references/>		<references/>
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		+	[[Category:British Military Intelligence]]

@@ Line 7: / Line 7: @@
 Buchan at first entered into a career in law in 1901, but almost immediately moved into politics, becoming private secretary to British colonial administrator [[Alfred Milner]], who was high commissioner for South Africa,  Governor of Cape Colony and colonial administrator of Transvaal and the Orange Free State&mdash;Buchan gained an acquaintance with the country that was to feature prominently in his writing. On his return to London, he became a partner in a publishing company while he continued to write books. Buchan married Susan Charlotte Grosvenor, cousin of the [[Duke of Westminster]], on July 15 1907. Together they had four children, two of whom would spend most of their lives in Canada.
-In 1910, he wrote ''[[Prester John]]'', the first of his adventure novels, set in [[South Africa]]. In 1911, he first suffered from [[duodenal ulcer]]s, an illness he would give to one of his characters in later books. He also entered politics running as a [[Scottish Unionist Party|Tory]] candidate for a Border constituency.
+In 1910, he wrote ''[[Prester John]]'', the first of his adventure novels, set in South Africa. In 1911, he first suffered from duodenal ulcers, an illness he would give to one of his characters in later books. He also entered politics running as a [[Scottish Unionist Party|Tory]] candidate for a Border constituency.
 During [[World War I]], he wrote for the War Propaganda Bureau and was a correspondent for ''[[The Times]]'' in France. In 1915, he published his most famous book ''[[The Thirty-Nine Steps]]'', a spy thriller set just before the outbreak of World War I, featuring his hero [[Richard Hannay]], who was based on a friend from South African days, [[William Edmund Ironside|Edmund Ironside]]. The following year he published a sequel ''[[Greenmantle]]''. In 1916, he joined the [[British Army]] [[Intelligence Corps]] where as a 2nd Lieutenant he wrote speeches and communiques for [[Douglas Haig, 1st Earl Haig|Sir Douglas Haig]].

@@ Line 5: / Line 5: @@
 ==Life as an author and politician==
-Buchan at first entered into a career in law in 1901, but almost immediately moved into politics, becoming private secretary to [[British Empire|British colonial]] administrator [[Alfred Milner]], who was [[high commissioner]] for [[South Africa]],  [[Governor]] of [[Cape Colony]] and colonial administrator of [[Transvaal]] and the [[Orange Free State]]&mdash;Buchan gained an acquaintance with the country that was to feature prominently in his writing. On his return to London, he became a partner in a publishing company while he continued to write books. Buchan married Susan Charlotte Grosvenor, cousin of the [[Duke of Westminster]], on [[July 15]] [[1907]]. Together they had four children, two of whom would spend most of their lives in [[Canada]].
+Buchan at first entered into a career in law in 1901, but almost immediately moved into politics, becoming private secretary to British colonial administrator [[Alfred Milner]], who was high commissioner for South Africa,  Governor of Cape Colony and colonial administrator of Transvaal and the Orange Free State&mdash;Buchan gained an acquaintance with the country that was to feature prominently in his writing. On his return to London, he became a partner in a publishing company while he continued to write books. Buchan married Susan Charlotte Grosvenor, cousin of the [[Duke of Westminster]], on July 15 1907. Together they had four children, two of whom would spend most of their lives in Canada.
 In 1910, he wrote ''[[Prester John]]'', the first of his adventure novels, set in [[South Africa]]. In 1911, he first suffered from [[duodenal ulcer]]s, an illness he would give to one of his characters in later books. He also entered politics running as a [[Scottish Unionist Party|Tory]] candidate for a Border constituency.
@@ Line 15: / Line 15: @@
 ''[[The 39 Steps (1935 film)|The Thirty-Nine Steps]]'' was filmed by [[Alfred Hitchcock]] in 1935.
 Buchan became president of the [[Scottish Historical Society]]. He was twice Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the [[Church of Scotland]] and in a 1927 by-election was elected a [[Scottish Unionist Party]] MP for the Scottish Universities. Politically he was of the Unionist-Nationalist Tradition that believed in Scotland's promotion as a nation within the British Empire and once remarked "I believe every Scotsman should be a Scottish nationalist. If it could be proved that a [[Scottish parliament]] were desirable...Scotsmen should support it". The effects of depression in Scotland and the subsequent high emigration also led him to say "We do not want to be like the Greeks, powerful and prosperous wherever we settle, but with a dead Greece behind us" ([[Hansard]], November 24 1932).
 ==Life in Canada==

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-'''John Buchan, 1st Baron Tweedsmuir''', [[Order of St Michael and St George|GCMG]], [[Royal Victorian Order|GCVO]], [[Order of the Companions of Honour|CH]], [[Privy Council of the United Kingdom|PC]] ([[26 August]] [[1875]] &ndash; [[11 February]] [[1940]]), was a [[Scotland|Scottish]] [[novelist]] and [[politician]] who served as [[Governor General of Canada]].
+'''John Buchan, 1st Baron Tweedsmuir''', GCMG, GCVO, CH, PC (26 August 1875 &ndash; 11 February 1940), was a Scottish novelist, politician and propagandist who served as [[Governor General of Canada]].
 == Early life ==
-Born in [[Perth, Scotland]] and growing up in [[Fife]], he spent many summer holidays with his grandparents in the [[Scottish Borders|Borders]], developing a love of walking and the Border scenery and its wildlife that is often featured in his novels.
+Born in Perth, Scotland and growing up in Fife, he spent many summer holidays with his grandparents in the Borders, developing a love of walking and the Border scenery and its wildlife that is often featured in his novels. He won a scholarship to the [[University of Glasgow]] where he studied Classics and wrote poetry and first became a published author. He then studied law at  Brasenose College, Oxford, winning the [[Newdigate prize]] for poetry. He had a genius for friendship which he retained all his life. His friends at Oxford included [[Hilaire Belloc]], [[Raymond Asquith]] and [[Aubrey Herbert]].
 ==Life as an author and politician==
@@ Line 10: / Line 9: @@
 In 1910, he wrote ''[[Prester John]]'', the first of his adventure novels, set in [[South Africa]]. In 1911, he first suffered from [[duodenal ulcer]]s, an illness he would give to one of his characters in later books. He also entered politics running as a [[Scottish Unionist Party|Tory]] candidate for a Border constituency.
-During [[World War I]], he wrote for the War Propaganda Bureau and was a correspondent for ''[[The Times]]'' in [[France]]. In 1915, he published his most famous book ''[[The Thirty-Nine Steps]]'', a spy thriller set just before the outbreak of World War I, featuring his hero [[Richard Hannay]], who was based on a friend from South African days, [[William Edmund Ironside|Edmund Ironside]]. The following year he published a sequel ''[[Greenmantle]]''. In 1916, he joined the [[British Army]] [[Intelligence Corps]] where as a [[2nd Lieutenant]] he wrote speeches and communiques for [[Douglas Haig, 1st Earl Haig|Sir Douglas Haig]].
+During [[World War I]], he wrote for the War Propaganda Bureau and was a correspondent for ''[[The Times]]'' in France. In 1915, he published his most famous book ''[[The Thirty-Nine Steps]]'', a spy thriller set just before the outbreak of World War I, featuring his hero [[Richard Hannay]], who was based on a friend from South African days, [[William Edmund Ironside|Edmund Ironside]]. The following year he published a sequel ''[[Greenmantle]]''. In 1916, he joined the [[British Army]] [[Intelligence Corps]] where as a 2nd Lieutenant he wrote speeches and communiques for [[Douglas Haig, 1st Earl Haig|Sir Douglas Haig]].
 In 1917, he returned to Britain where he became Director of Information under [[Max Aitken, 1st Baron Beaverbrook|Lord Beaverbrook]] in 1917. After the war he began to write on historical subjects as well as continuing to write  thrillers and historical novels.  His career as an author was very successful, and he produced many well-respected historical works. He wrote biographies of Sir [[Walter Scott]], [[Caesar Augustus]], [[Oliver Cromwell]] and [[James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose]], but the most famous of his books were the Richard Hannay spy thrillers and it is probably for these that he is now best remembered.
@@ Line 16: / Line 15: @@
 ''[[The 39 Steps (1935 film)|The Thirty-Nine Steps]]'' was filmed by [[Alfred Hitchcock]] in 1935.
-Buchan became president of the [[Scottish Historical Society]]. He was twice [[Lord High Commissioner]] to the [[General Assembly]] of the [[Church of Scotland]] and in a 1927 [[by-election]] was elected a [[Scottish Unionist Party|Scottish Unionist]] [[Member of Parliament|MP]] for the [[Combined Scottish Universities (constituency)|Scottish Universities]]. Politically he was of the Unionist-Nationalist Tradition that believed in [[Scotland]]'s promotion as a [[nation]] within the [[British Empire]] and once remarked "I believe every Scotsman should be a Scottish nationalist. If it could be proved that a [[Scottish parliament]] were desirable...[[Scotsmen]] should support it". The effects of depression in Scotland and the subsequent high emigration also led him to say "We do not want to be like the Greeks, powerful and prosperous wherever we settle, but with a dead Greece behind us" ([[Hansard]], [[November 24]] [[1932]]). The insightful quotation "It's a great life, if you don't weaken" is also famously attributed to him.
+Buchan became president of the [[Scottish Historical Society]]. He was twice Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the [[Church of Scotland]] and in a 1927 by-election was elected a [[Scottish Unionist Party]] MP for the Scottish Universities. Politically he was of the Unionist-Nationalist Tradition that believed in Scotland's promotion as a nation within the British Empire and once remarked "I believe every Scotsman should be a Scottish nationalist. If it could be proved that a [[Scottish parliament]] were desirable...Scotsmen should support it". The effects of depression in Scotland and the subsequent high emigration also led him to say "We do not want to be like the Greeks, powerful and prosperous wherever we settle, but with a dead Greece behind us" ([[Hansard]], November 24 1932).
 ==Life in Canada==
-In 1935 he became Governor General of Canada and was created Baron Tweedsmuir. [[Prime Minister of Canada|Canadian Prime Minister]] [[William Lyon Mackenzie King]] had wanted him to go to Canada as a commoner, but King [[George V of the United Kingdom|George V]] insisted on being represented by a [[peerage|peer]].
+In 1935 he became Governor General of Canada and was created Baron Tweedsmuir. Canadian Prime Minister [[William Lyon Mackenzie King]] had wanted him to go to Canada as a commoner, but King [[George V of the United Kingdom|George V]] insisted on being represented by a peer.
-Buchan's writing continued even after he was appointed Governor General.  His later books included novels and histories and his views of Canada. He also wrote an [[autobiography]], ''Memory Hold-the-Door'', while Governor-General.  His wife was a writer, producing many books and plays as [[Susan Buchan]]. While pursuing his own writing career, he also promoted the development of a distinctly Canadian culture. In 1936, encouraged by Lady Tweedsmuir, he founded the [[Governor General's Awards]], still some of Canada's premier literary awards.
+Buchan's writing continued even after he was appointed Governor General.  His later books included novels and histories and his views of Canada. He also wrote an autobiography, ''Memory Hold-the-Door'', while Governor-General.  His wife was a writer, producing many books and plays as [[Susan Buchan]]. While pursuing his own writing career, he also promoted the development of a distinctly Canadian culture. In 1936, encouraged by Lady Tweedsmuir, he founded the [[Governor General's Awards]], still some of Canada's premier literary awards.
-Lady Tweedsmuir was active in promoting literacy in Canada. She used [[Rideau Hall]] as a distribution centre for 40,000 books, which were sent out to readers in remote areas of the west. Her programme was known as the "Lady Tweedsmuir Prairie Library Scheme". Together, Lord and Lady Tweedsmuir established the first proper [[library]] at Rideau Hall.
+Like many people of his time, the experience of the [[First World War]] convinced  Buchan of the horrors of armed conflict and he worked with both United States President [[Franklin Delano Roosevelt|Roosevelt]] and Prime Minister Mackenzie King in trying to avert the ever-growing threat of another world war.
-Tweedsmuir took his responsibilities in Canada seriously and tried to make the office of Governor General relevant to the lives of ordinary Canadians. In his own words, "a Governor General is in a unique position for it is his duty to know the whole of Canada and all the various types of her people".
+While shaving on February 6 1940, Tweedsmuir had a stroke and injured his head badly in the fall. He received the best possible care &ndash; Canada's famous Dr. [[Wilder Penfield]] operated twice &ndash; but the injury proved fatal. On [[February 11]], just 10 months before his term of office was to expire, Tweedsmuir died. Prime Minister Mackenzie King reflected the loss that all Canadians felt when he read the following words over the radio, "In the passing of His Excellency, the people of Canada have lost one of the greatest and most revered of their Governors General, and a friend who, from the day of his arrival in this country, dedicated his life to their service."
-Tweedsmuir travelled throughout Canada, including the [[Canadian Arctic|Arctic]] regions. He took every opportunity to speak to Canadians and to encourage them to develop their own distinct identity. He wanted to build national unity by diminishing the religious and linguistic barriers that divided the country. Tweedsmuir was aware of the suffering experienced by many Canadians due to the [[Great Depression|Depression]] and often wrote with compassion about their difficulties.
+This was the first time a Governor General had died during his term of office since [[Canadian Confederation|Confederation]]. After the lying-in-state in the Senate Chamber, a state funeral for Lord Tweedsmuir was held at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Ottawa. His ashes were returned to England on the warship H.M.S. Orion for final burial at Elsfield, where he had bought the Manor in 1920.
 == Reputation ==
@@ Line 43: / Line 32: @@
 Buchan had a reputation for discretion. He was involved with the [[Intelligence Corps]] as a propagandist during World War I and may have had an involvement with [[British intelligence]]  later; he is cited as having some involvement during the years leading to the Second World War by Canadian-born British spymaster [[William Stephenson]] but the books about him are not always reliable.
 ==Notes==
 <references/>

@@ Line 40: / Line 40: @@
 == Reputation ==
-In recent years in common with many of his contemporaries, Buchan's reputation has been tarnished by the lack of [[political correctness]] perceived, with hindsight, in his novels.  However, in many other ways, his work stands the test of time, and he is currently undergoing a resurgence in popularity.
+In recent years in common with many of his contemporaries, Buchan's reputation has been tarnished by the lack of political correctness perceived, with hindsight, in his novels.  However, in many other ways, his work stands the test of time, and he is currently undergoing a resurgence in popularity.
 Buchan had a reputation for discretion. He was involved with the [[Intelligence Corps]] as a propagandist during World War I and may have had an involvement with [[British intelligence]]  later; he is cited as having some involvement during the years leading to the Second World War by Canadian-born British spymaster [[William Stephenson]] but the books about him are not always reliable.
@@ Line 47: / Line 47: @@
 His autobiography "Memory Hold the Door" (Published as Pilgrims Way in the USA) was said to be John F. Kennedy's favourite book although a list given to Life magazine in 1961 quoted "Montrose" at the head of the list.