Born John Buchan in 1875 in Perth, Scotland, Lord Tweedsmuir was governor general from 1935 to 1940. Educated at Oxford, he was a man of many parts.
During World War I, he served as an intelligence officer. He penned the spy novel, The Thirty-Nine Steps, in 1915. The book made him a well-known novelist.
The 1935 movie made from this novel by Alfred Hitchcock was a classic. Last year, I enjoyed seeing a reprised comic theatrical version of this famous thriller in London's West End, where it is still playing at the Criterion Theatre. A similar version at the Arts Club in Vancouver closed last week.
Between 1906 to 1929 Buchan was a Director of the publishing company Thomas Nelson and Sons. He was a Member of Parliament in Britain from 1927 to 1935.
He had first met Mackenzie King, who greatly admired him, in 1919 and the two became great friends. Later Buchan dedicated his book Augustus to "my friend William Lyon Mackenzie King, four times Prime Minister of Canada." (LAC)
Buchan was given the title of First Baron Tweedsmuir in 1935 when he was named Governor General. He travelled widely in Canada and created the Governor General's Literary Awards. In 1936 he visited the park in the British Columbia interior that would bear his name.
Tweedsmuir died in office in 1940. In 1955, his literary papers were purchased from the family by Queen's University. Library and Archives Canada also holds a microfilm copy of these documents.
A secondary school a short drive from here bears the name of Lord Tweedsmuir, as does an elementary in nearby New Westminster.
Photo not of 1st Lord Tweedsmuir described; perhaps his son Johnnie who became 2nd Lord T. after his father's death in Canada.
ReplyDeleteA new book by Dundurn about Tweedsmuir's legacy from his time in Canada: "John Buchan: Model Governor General". Toronto Star: http://www.thestar.com/news/insight/2013/08/18/john_buchan_a_model_statesman_author_says.html
Picture of GG's son now replaced with the book cover image. Thanks and regards.
DeleteI am a 78 year old American. I have deeply admired and respected John Buchan, Lord Tweedsmuir for about 50 years and made a life's hobby of collecting as many of his books and writings as possible for my library. His sense of honor and good sportsmanship were a model for me and still are. I am trying to find his essay on his great regard for America and The American Spirit to show to some friends but so far I just can't find it. A great man who's life and influence were cut too short.
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