The Earl of Aberdeen, Sir John Campbell Hamilton Gordon, was governor general from 1893 to 1898. His era included the early days of the trans-continental CPR, the Manitoba schools crisis, and the Yukon gold rush. Lord Aberdeen served under Prime Ministers John Thompson, Mackenzie Bowell, Charles Tupper, and Wilfrid Laurier.
Before Aberdeen was appointed governor-general, he and Lady Aberdeen purchased a property called Coldstream Ranch in the Okanagan near Vernon. Lord Aberdeen, who could speak Gaelic, was also fond of touring in the Maritimes, where he could speak to Scottish settlers and descendants.
In 1898, Lady Aberdeen established the Victorian Order of Nurses in Canada. This organization, which was devoted to home care, still plays a part in Canadian health care. Lady Aberdeen was also the first to hold the post of president of the International Council of Women. This group was founded in 1888.
The Aberdeens came to know and love Canada. Rather than behave as representatives of a distant foreign crown, they toured widely and tried to bring their roles closer to the Canadian people.
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