The Earl of Bessborough

Photo from The Peerage

From 1931-1935, Sir Vere Brabazon Ponsonby, the 9th Earl of Bessborough, served as Governor General of Canada.

When Bessborough was installed in office, the event was broadcast on the radio, a first. It was also during his time in office that the CBC was created.

In 1932, he inauguarated the first trans-Canada telephone system and spoke to the Lieutenant Governor of each province from his study in Rideau Hall. Under his direction, a direct telephone link was created between his office and that of Prime Minister RB Bennett.

Bessborough served during the the Great Depression that followed the stock market crash of 1929. The Hungry Thirties was a harsh time for Canadians. Unemployment was rife, and the plight of the farmers was complicated by a ten-year drought that saw the precious prairie soil blown into the air in great dark clouds. In the Dirty Thirties, men rode the rails looking for work. The On to Ottawa Trek took place in 1935 .

Farmers who had cars couldn't afford gas, so they hitched up horses to pull them. This unique form of transportation was called the Bennett Buggy, an ironic criticism of the Prime Minister for his failure to alleviate the extensive problems caused by the depressed economy.

In an effort to understand the national character, the new governor general travelled around the country and witnessed the suffering of the depression at first hand. In Shawbridge, Quebec, he gave a speech expressing his admiration for the dignity and perseverance of the Canadian people. He also arranged to have his own salary reduced by ten percent.

After Canada was granted control of her own foreign policy (Statute of Westminster, 1931), Bessborough was the first to raise the new Canadian Vice Regal standard. This flag is is still flown to indicate when the GG is in residence in Rideau Hall or La Citadelle.

In 1932 Bessborough opened the Imperial Economic Conference, the first great international gathering to take place in Ottawa. Lord and Lady Bessborough also hosted many prominent visitors including Sir Winston Churchill, the King and Queen of Siam, the Prince and Princess of Japan and the Antarctic explorer Sir Hubert Wilkins. 

The Bessborough's were interersted in theatre and organized the first Dominion Drama Festival in 1933, offering the Bessborough Trophy as a prize. The official photographer was young Yousuf Karsh, whose early career got a boost when he photographed the Bessboroughs. In 1935, the Governor General and his Lady organized a celebration for the Silver Jubilee of King George V.

The CPR hotel in Saskatoon, the Bessborough, was named after this Governor General.