His Grace Victor Christian William Cavendish

His Grace Victor Christian William Cavendish,

9^th Duke of Devonshire KG, GCMG, GCVO, TD, PC, JP, FRS

The 11^th Governor General of Canada since the Canadian Confederation was His Grace The Duke of Devonshire whom held the Vice Regal office from November 11^th 1916 till August 2^nd 1921.

This Grace was educated initially at the public school Eden College and subsequently at the University of Cambridge. In 1891 his father passed away and the then Victor Cavendish Esq. entered British politics successfully winning his fathers riding unopposed. Upon the death of his uncle he inherited his Dukedom as the 9^th Duke of Devonshire and took his seat in the House of Lords. His Grace held a significant number of government positions before H.M. King George V, on the advise of the British Prime Minister appoint him to the office of Governor General of Canada replacing His Royal Highness The Prince Arthur Duke of Connaught and Strathearn. 

Initially his appointment was seen as controversial however by the time His Grace returned to England he had earned respect for the way that he carried out his Vice Regal duties while in Canada.

As the 9^th Duke of Devonshire his coat of arms were those of the Dukedom which were created for his ancestors on May 12^th 1694, some 320 years age, by TM King William and Queen Mary and are blazoned Sable, three bucks heads cabossed argent. Created for the first Duke of Devonshire William Cavendish and have been in use by every duke to the current day.

The full achievement of arms as displayed (below) are blazoned as: Arms: Sable, 3 stags' (or bucks') heads caboshed (or cabossed). Crest: A serpent nowed proper (or vert). Supporters: On either side, a buck (or stag) wreathed (or gorged) about the neck with a chaplet (or garland) of roses proper—but see note! Motto: Cavendo tutus, Safe through caution. NOTE: The stags' head are sometimes given as attired Or; for example the garlands should be roses alternately argent and azure. At least the 6th duke substituted as a crest a buck statant wreathed as the supporters. 

His Grace was sworn into office on November 11^th 1916 while his appointment was still causing political earthquakes, as the Canadian Prime Minister had not been consulted. In the first year of his tenure he introduced conscription that caused significant issues between English and French Canadians, he had the woman’s suffrage movement that was gaining traction within Canada and then there was the explosion that occurred in Halifax harbor, Nova Scotia. With the victory in 1917 at Vimy Ridge His Grace used this significant victory to generate pride in Canadians and close the gap between English and French Canadians. As a landowner he enjoyed travelling Canada meeting the people from all walks of life and supporting the farming communities from coast to coast. In 1918 he officially visited the United States of America and the invitation of President Wilson and soon after oversaw the first Royal Tour of Canada by HRH The Prince Edward, Prince of Wales. By the time he left office he was well respected by Canadian in general and both Prime Ministers considered him a personal friend.