Sir Charles Stanley Monck, the 4th Viscount Monck, was Canada's first Governor General. He was already in place before Confederation, as the Governor of British North America, a post he accepted in 1861.
Before 1867, he used his diplomatic skills, along with other "fathers of confederation," to help build the new country. He was also able to settle a British - US diplomatic crisis called the Trent affair.
As governor, he had lived in Spencerwood, near Quebec City. When he became governor general, he moved to Rideau Hall in the new capital of Ottawa in 1868, after the government bought it as an official residence for him. From his new home, he used to travel to Parliament by boat.
Lady Monck, an enthusiastic gardener, went to work on the grounds of Rideau Hall, and effected great improvements there.
Monck was born in Ireland and educated at Trinity College Dublin. As an Irish peer, he was barred from the House of Lords, but he did win a seat in the House of Commons, where he represented Portsmouth, and later served as Lord of the Treasury.
Leaving Canada in 1868, he returned to Ireland, where he was made a Peer of the United Kingdom, Baron of Ballytrammon, and eventually, Lord Lieutenant of Dublin.
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