View source for Victor Cavendish, 9th Duke of Devonshire

{{short description|British politician}}
{{distinguish|Victor Cavendish-Bentinck}}
{{Use British English|date=September 2012}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2021}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific-prefix    = [[Major (United Kingdom)|Major]] [[Grace (style)|His Grace]]
| name                = The Duke of Devonshire
| honorific-suffix    = {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100|KG|GCMG|GCVO|TD|PC|JP|FRS}}
| image               = GG Duke of Devonshire.jpg
| caption             = Devonshire {{circa}} 1916–1921
| order1              = 11th
| office1             = Governor General of Canada
| term_start1         = 11 November 1916
| term_end1           = 2 August 1921
| monarch1            = [[George V]]
| primeminister1      = [[Prime Minister of Canada|Canadian]]<br />&nbsp;• [[Robert Borden]]<br />&nbsp;• [[Arthur Meighen]]<br />[[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|British]]<br />&nbsp;• [[H. H. Asquith]]<br />&nbsp;• [[David Lloyd George]]
| predecessor1        = [[Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn]]
| successor1          = [[Julian Byng, 1st Viscount Byng of Vimy|The Lord Byng of Vimy]]
| office2             = [[Secretary of State for the Colonies]]
| term_start2         = 24 October 1922
| term_end2           = 22 January 1924
| monarch2            = [[George V]]
| primeminister2      = [[Bonar Law]]<br />[[Stanley Baldwin]]
| predecessor2        = [[Winston Churchill]]
| successor2          = [[James Henry Thomas]]
| office3             = [[Civil Lord of the Admiralty]]
| term_start3         = 25 May 1915
| term_end3           = 26 July 1916
| monarch3            = [[George V]]
| primeminister3      = [[H. H. Asquith]]
| predecessor3        = [[George Lambert, 1st Viscount Lambert|George Lambert]]
| successor3          = [[Victor Bulwer-Lytton, 2nd Earl of Lytton|The Earl of Lytton]]
| office4             = [[Financial Secretary to the Treasury]]
| term_start4         = 9 October 1903
| term_end4           = 5 December 1905
| monarch4            = [[Edward VII]]
| primeminister4      = [[Arthur Balfour]]
| predecessor4        = [[Arthur Elliot (politician)|Arthur Elliot]]
| successor4          = [[Reginald McKenna]]
| office5             = [[Treasurer of the Household]]
| term_start5         = 4 December 1900
| term_end5           = 13 October 1903
| monarch5            = [[Queen Victoria|Victoria]]<br />[[Edward VII]]
| primeminister5      = [[Robert Gascoyne-Cecil, 3rd Marquess of Salisbury|The Marquess of Salisbury]]<br />[[Arthur Balfour]]
| predecessor5        = [[Richard Curzon, 4th Earl Howe|The Earl Howe]]
| successor5          = [[James Hamilton, 3rd Duke of Abercorn|Marquess of Hamilton]]
| office8             = Member of the [[House of Lords]]
| status8             = Lord Temporal
| term_start8         = 24 March 1908
| term_end8           = 6 May 1938
| predecessor8        = [[Spencer Cavendish, 8th Duke of Devonshire|The 8th Duke of Devonshire]]
| successor8          = [[Edward Cavendish, 10th Duke of Devonshire|The 10th Duke of Devonshire]]
| office9             = [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Member of Parliament]]<br/>for [[West Derbyshire (UK Parliament constituency)|West Derbyshire]]
| term_start9         = 2 June 1891
| term_end9           = 24 March 1908
| predecessor9        = [[Lord Edward Cavendish]]
| successor9          = [[Henry Petty-Fitzmaurice, 6th Marquess of Lansdowne|Earl of Kerry]]
| birth_name          = Victor Christian William Cavendish
| birth_date          = 31 May 1868
| birth_place         = [[Mayfair]], London, England
| death_date          = {{death date and age|1938|5|6|1868|5|31|df=y}}
| death_place         = [[Chatsworth House]], Derbyshire, England
| profession          = Politician
| party               = [[Liberal Unionist Party|Liberal Unionist]]
| education           = [[Eton College]]
| alma_mater          = [[Trinity College, Cambridge]]
| allegiance          = {{flagcountry|UK}}
| branch              = {{Army|UK}}
| serviceyears        = 1890–1911
| rank                = Second Lieutenant<br/>Major
| unit                = [[Derbyshire Yeomanry]]
| commands            = 
| spouse              = {{marriage|[[Evelyn Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire|Lady Evelyn Petty-Fitzmaurice]]|1892}}
| children            = {{plainlist|
* [[Edward William Spencer Cavendish, 10th Duke of Devonshire|Edward Cavendish, 10th Duke of Devonshire]]
* Lady Maud Cavendish
* Lady Blanche Cavendish
* [[Lady Dorothy Macmillan]]
* [[Rachel Stuart, Viscountess Stuart of Findhorn]]
* [[Lord Charles Cavendish (1905–1944)|Lord Charles Cavendish]]
* Anne Montagu, Countess of Sandwich
}}
| parents             = {{plainlist|
* [[Lord Edward Cavendish]]
* Emma Lascelles
}}
}}

[[File:Shield of Arms of Victor Cavendish, 9th Duke of Devonshire, KG, GCMG, GCVO, TD, PC, JP, FRS.png|thumb|right|Garter-encircled shield of arms of Victor Cavendish, 9th Duke of Devonshire, KG, as displayed on his Order of the Garter stall plate in St. George's Chapel.]]

'''Victor Christian William Cavendish, 9th Duke of Devonshire'''<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Whiddington |first1=R. |title=Victor Christian William Cavendish, the Duke of Devonshire. 1868-1938 |doi=10.1098/rsbm.1939.0016 |journal=[[Obituary Notices of Fellows of the Royal Society]] |volume=2 |issue=7 |pages=557–559 |year=1939 |doi-access=free }}</ref> (31 May 1868 – 6 May 1938), known as '''Victor Cavendish''' until 1908, was a British peer and politician who served as [[Governor General of Canada]].

A member of the [[Cavendish family]], Victor Cavendish was the son of [[Lord Edward Cavendish]] and nephew of [[Spencer Cavendish, 8th Duke of Devonshire]]. He was educated at [[Eton College]] and the [[University of Cambridge]]. After his father's death in 1891, he entered politics, winning his father's [[constituency]] unopposed. He held that seat until he inherited his uncle's dukedom in 1908. Thereafter, he took his place in the [[House of Lords]], while, for a period at the same time, acting as mayor of [[Eastbourne]] and [[Chesterfield, Derbyshire|Chesterfield]]. He held various government posts both prior to and after his rise to the [[peerage]]. In 1916, [[King George V]] appointed him governor general of Canada on the recommendation of Prime Minister [[H. H. Asquith]], replacing [[Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn]], as [[viceroy]]. He occupied that post until succeeded by [[Lord Byng of Vimy]] in 1921. The appointment was initially controversial but, by the time of his return to England, the Duke had earned praise for the way in which he carried out his official duties.

Following his tenure as governor general, Devonshire returned to political and diplomatic life, serving as [[Secretary of State for the Colonies]] between 1922 and 1924, before retiring to his estate in [[Derbyshire]], where he died on 6 May 1938. He was the last Duke to ever hold a cabinet post.

The Duke of Devonshire was also the father-in-law of Prime Minister of the United Kingdom [[Harold Macmillan]]

==Early life, education and military career==
Cavendish was born at [[Devonshire House]], [[Mayfair]], London,<ref>{{cite news |title= Births |work=[[The Times]] |date=2 June 1868 |page= 1}}</ref> the eldest son of [[Lord Edward Cavendish]], himself the third son of the [[7th Duke of Devonshire]], and [[Emma Lascelles]], both the daughter of [[William Lascelles]] and Lord Edward's cousin. Cavendish's younger brother was [[Lord Richard Cavendish (1871–1946)|Lord Richard Cavendish]] and his uncles were [[Spencer Cavendish, 8th Duke of Devonshire|Spencer Cavendish, Marquess of Hartington]] (later the eighth Duke of Devonshire), and [[Lord Frederick Cavendish]].

Cavendish was educated at [[Eton College]] before being admitted to [[Trinity College, Cambridge]], on 30 May 1887,<ref>{{acad|id=CVNS887VC|name=Cavendish, Victor Christian William}}</ref> where he served as secretary of the [[Pitt Club]].<ref>{{cite book| last=Fletcher| first=Walter Morley| author-link=Walter Morley Fletcher| title=The University Pitt Club: 1835-1935| edition=First Paperback| year=2011| orig-year=1935| page=92| publisher=Cambridge University Press| location=Cambridge| isbn=978-1-107-60006-5}}</ref> During his years at Cambridge, Cavendish was initiated into [[Isaac Newton University Lodge]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://freemasonrymatters.co.uk/famous-freemasons/victor-christian-william-cavendish-9th-duke-devonshire-sheffield-freemasonry/ |title=Victor Christian William Cavendish, 9th Duke of Devonshire – Sheffield Freemasonry &#124; Freemasonry Matters |date=24 May 2016 |access-date=27 February 2021 |archive-date=19 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210519013433/https://freemasonrymatters.co.uk/famous-freemasons/victor-christian-william-cavendish-9th-duke-devonshire-sheffield-freemasonry/ |url-status=dead}}</ref> His family was well-known at Cambridge. His grandfather was the Chancellor of the University until 1891. In 1874, William Cavendish, the Seventh Duke of Devonshire provided the funding for the [[Cavendish Laboratory]] for Physics and Chemistry at Cambridge. This is one of the most productive and influential labs in the world of natural sciences, leading to multiple Nobel Prizes in the twentieth century.<ref>Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, https://www.phy.cam.ac.uk/history {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220515110332/https://www.phy.cam.ac.uk/history |date=15 May 2022 }}</ref> Victor graduated in 1891 with a BA.<ref>The Canadian Encyclopedia, Victor Cavendish, 9th Duke of Devonshire, https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/victor-cavendish-9th-duke-of-devonshire#:~:text=Victor%20was%20the%20eldest%20son,as%20a%20politician%20and%20landowner</ref> Thereafter, he studied law and accounting in preparation for government service. He studied law at The Honourable Society of the [[Inner Temple]] and accounting at a private firm.<ref>Dictionary of Canadian Biography, https://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/cavendish_victor_christian_william_16E.html</ref> He also served part-time with the [[Derbyshire Yeomanry]], into which he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1890.<ref>{{cite book |title=Kelly's Handbook of the Titled, Landed and Official Classes, 1895 |publisher=Kelly's |page=249 |year=1895}}</ref> He was promoted major in September 1901<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=27362 |date=4 October 1901 |page=6491}}</ref> and retired from the Yeomanry in 1911.<ref>{{cite book |title=Kelly's Handbook of the Titled, Landed and Official Classes, 1913 |publisher=Kelly's |page=616}}</ref>

The younger of his two brothers, John Spencer, died on active service in the First World War.<ref>{{CWGC|id=585193|name=Cavendish, Lord John Spencer|access-date=12 November 2024}}</ref>

==Marriage and children==
On 30 July 1892, Cavendish married [[Lady Evelyn Petty-FitzMaurice]], the elder daughter of [[Henry Petty-Fitzmaurice, 5th Marquess of Lansdowne]], [[Viceroy of India]] and former Governor General of Canada.<ref name=GGCav>{{cite web |url=http://www.gg.ca/gg/fgg/bios/01/devonshire_e.asp |archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20081116040135/http://www.gg.ca/gg/fgg/bios/01/devonshire_e.asp |url-status=dead |archive-date=16 November 2008 |last=Office of the Governor General of Canada |title=Governor General > Former Governors General > The Duke of Devonshire |publisher=Queen's Printer for Canada |access-date=18 April 2009 }}</ref> The couple had seven children:<ref>Mosley, Charles, editor. Burke's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage, 107th edition, 3 volumes. Wilmington, Delaware, U.S.A.: Burke's Peerage (Genealogical Books) Ltd, 2003</ref>

* [[Edward Cavendish, 10th Duke of Devonshire|Edward William Spencer Cavendish, 10th Duke of Devonshire]] (8 May 1895 – 26 November 1950)
* [[Lady Maud Louisa Emma Cavendish]] (20 April 1896 – 30 March 1975), married 1) in 1917 [[Angus Alexander Mackintosh]], who died of Spanish flu in 1918 while serving as a military attaché at the British embassy in Washington.<ref>{{CWGC|id=4010498|name=Mackintosh, Angus Alexander|access-date=12 November 2024}}</ref> 2) in 1923 [[Brigadier George Evan Michael Baillie]], killed on active service 1941.<ref>{{CWGC|id=2457728|name=Baillie, George Evan Michael|access-date=12 November 2024}}</ref>
* [[Lady Blanche Katharine Cavendish]] (2 February 1898 – 1987) 
* [[Lady Dorothy Macmillan|Lady Dorothy Evelyn Cavendish]] (28 July 1900 – 21 May 1966), wife of [[Harold Macmillan]], later [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom]] and [[Earl of Stockton]]
* [[Lady Rachel Cavendish]] (22 January 1902 – 2 October 1977), later [[James Stuart, 1st Viscount Stuart of Findhorn|Viscountess Stuart of Findhorn]].
* [[Lord Charles Cavendish (1905–1944)|Lord Charles Arthur Francis Cavendish]] (29 August 1905 – 23 March 1944) 
* Lady Anne Cavendish (20 August 1909 – 1981), Countess of Sandwich, wife of [[Henry Hunloke]], later of [[Christopher Holland-Martin]], and of [[Victor Montagu]], all MPs (the last also 10th [[Earl of Sandwich]])

Through his children's eventual marriages, Cavendish became the father-in-law of [[Henry Philip Hunloke]]; [[Christopher Holland-Martin]]; [[James Stuart, 1st Viscount Stuart of Findhorn]]; [[Harold Macmillan]]; [[Adele Astaire]]; and [[Victor Montagu|Victor Montagu, 10th Earl of Sandwich]].
[[File:Chatsworth Bridge.jpg|thumb|left|[[Chatsworth House]], which Cavendish inherited upon acceding to the Dukedom of Devonshire in 1908]]

==Political and Industry==
In May 1891, shortly before Cavendish graduated from Cambridge, his father, who sat as the Member of Parliament for [[West Derbyshire (UK Parliament constituency)|West Derbyshire]], died and Cavendish entered the race for that parliamentary seat and won it. He thus became the youngest member of the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|British House of Commons]] at the time.<ref name=CE>{{Citation |last=Hillmer |first=Norman |contribution=The Canadian Encyclopedia |title=Biography > Governors General of Canada > Devonshire, Victor Christian William Cavendish, 9th Duke of |editor-last=Marsh |editor-first=James Harley |place=Toronto |publisher=Historica Foundation of Canada |url=https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/victor-cavendish-9th-duke-of-devonshire |access-date=28 April 2009 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304105231/http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/en/article/victor-cavendish-9th-duke-of-devonshire/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

For 17 years, Cavendish held parliamentary positions. Between 1900 and 1903, he served as [[Treasurer of the Household]],<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=11256 |date=7 December 1900 |page=1285 |city=e}}</ref><ref>{{London Gazette |issue=11559 |date=16 October 1903 |page=1048 |city=e}}</ref> from 1903 to 1905 as [[Financial Secretary to the Treasury]], and on 11 December 1905 he was sworn of the [[Her Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council|Privy Council]].<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=27862| date=8 December 1905|page=8892}}</ref> In 1907, he was appointed a [[deputy lieutenant]] of [[Derbyshire]].<ref>{{London Gazette | issue=28018 |page=2999 | date=3 May 1907}}</ref>

When he succeeded to his uncle's dukedom on 24 March 1908, Devonshire, as he was thereafter known, was disqualified from holding his seat in the Commons, as he now held a place in the [[House of Lords]]. The same year, Devonshire was appointed as [[Lord Lieutenant of Derbyshire]], when he acted as President of the Derbyshire [[Territorial Force]] (TF) Association and [[Colonel (United Kingdom)#Honorary Colonel|Honorary Colonel]] of the 5th (TF) Battalion of the [[Sherwood Foresters]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://digital.nls.uk/british-military-lists/archive/102697266 |title=''Monthly Army List'', August 1914. |access-date=12 May 2025 |archive-date=24 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220324171652/https://digital.nls.uk/british-military-lists/archive/102697266 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name=kelly3>{{cite book|title=Kelly's Handbook of the Titled, Landed and Official Classes, 1920| publisher=Kelly's| page=498}}</ref> In 1909 he was made [[Chancellor (education)|Chancellor]] of the [[University of Leeds]]. He was then elected to two mayoral offices: first to that of [[Eastbourne]], between 1909 and 1910, and then [[Chesterfield, Derbyshire|Chesterfield]], from 1911 to 1912. In the House of Lords, Devonshire served as [[Conservative Chief Whip]] from 1911<ref>David Butler and Gareth Butler, ''Twentieth Century British Political Facts 1900-2000'' (Macmillan 2000) p. 69.</ref> and, after the Conservatives [[Asquith coalition ministry|joined the government]] during the First World War, as joint [[Government Chief Whip]] in the upper chamber,<ref>Butler and Butler (2000) p. 139.</ref> holding office as [[Civil Lord of the Admiralty]].<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=29651| date=4 July 1916|page=6596}}</ref>

He took an active interest in the iron industry and from 1910 to 1912 was the president of the [[Iron and Steel Institute]]. The University of Leeds General Reception Committee honoured his presidential years on 30 September, 1912 at an event at the hall of the [[Leeds Philosophical and Literary Society]] with ensuing tours of nearby [[foundries]] including those founded by [[Middleton family|Robert Middleton]] and the family of [[Albert Kitson, 2nd Baron Airedale]], both of whom were members of the committee. Kitson was [[Honorary title (academic)|honorary]] vice-president of the institute from 1911.<ref>{{cite journal |title=The Iron and Steel Institute |journal=Nature |date=7 October 1909 |volume=81 |issue=2084 |publisher=The Iron and Steel Institute |page=437-8 |doi=10.1038/081437a0 |url=https://www.nature.com/articles/081437a0 |access-date=8 September 2024 |quote= THE autumn session of the Iron and Steel Institute commenced on Tuesday, September 28. Meetings for the reading and discussion of papers were held on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at the Institution of Civil Engineers, and were attended by a large number of members. In the absence of the president, the chair was taken by Lord Airedale, supported by the Duke of Devonshire, who presented the Carnegie gold medal to M. A. Portevin, in recognition of his researches on steel alloys.}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |title=The Iron and Steel Institute |journal=Nature |date=12 May 1910 |volume=83 |issue=2115 |pages=325–326 |doi=10.1038/083325a0 |url=https://www.nature.com/articles/083325a0 |quote=THE annual general meeting of the Iron and Steel Institute was held on Wednesday and Thursday, May 4 and, 5, at the Institution of Civil Engineers. The retiring president—Sir Hugh Bell—inducted the president-elect, His Grace the Duke of Devonshire. After presentation of the Bessemer medal to Mr. E. H. Saniter, of Rotherham, for scientific services rendered to the iron and steel industry, the Duke of Devonshire gave his presidential address.|url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |journal=Iron and Steel Institute |title=Visits and Excursions|date=1912 |pages=390–399 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Bz8ZAQAAIAAJ&q=iron+and+steel+institute+++Leeds+excursion++1912+Duke |access-date=8 September 2024 |quote=The constitution of the General Reception Committee was as follows : - His Grace the Duke of Devonshire ( Past-President...[Members of the Kitson family] and Robert Middleton on the University of Leeds reception committee to welcome Victor Cavendish, 9th Duke of Devonshire to the University on 30th September 1912...excursions to Middleton's Sheepscar Foundry and Kitson's MonksBridge/Airedale Foundry [part of] Duke's visit...PAGE 398 - VISITS TO WORKS. - KITSON & COMPANY, LIMITED, AIREDALE FOUNDRY, AND JOHN FOWLER & COMPANY, LIMITED, STEAM PLOUGH WORKS ...one hundred members of the institute visited these works...PAGE 391 VISITS AND EXCURSIONS. - Monkbridge Iron and Steel Co. Whitehall Road- Robert Middleton Sheepscar Foundries...One hundred members of the institute visited these works on the afternoon of October 1st...The Constitution of the General Reception Committee were as follows...Kitson...Kitson...The Hon. R. D. Kitson...Robert Middleton...[page 389] The Chairman was The Right Hon. Lord Airedale...the members were welcomed to Leeds by Lord Airedale...}}</ref>

During [[World War I]] he and the Derbyshire TF Association not only supported the TF battalions of the Sherwood Foresters but also raised a '[[Pals battalion]]' for '[[Kitchener's Army]]', the [[16th (Service) Battalion, Sherwood Foresters (Chatsworth Rifles)]].<ref>Brig E.A. James, ''British Regiments 1914–18'', London: Samson Books, 1978, ISBN 0-906304-03-2/Uckfield: Naval & Military Press, 2001, ISBN 978-1-84342-197-9, p. 87.</ref> He also became Honorary Colonel and Commandant of the Derbyshire Volunteer Regiment of the [[Volunteer Training Corps (World War I)|Volunteer Training Corps]] in 1918.<ref name=kelly3/>

==Governor General of Canada==
[[File:Hastings County Archives HC01047 + HC01048 (restored) (20931942526).jpg|thumb|right|A welcome for Devonshire at [[Belleville, Ontario|Belleville]] during one of his tours of Canada while Governor General]]

It was announced on 8 August 1916 that [[King George V]] had, by commission under the [[royal sign-manual]] and [[Seal (emblem)#Signet rings|signet]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://recherche-collection-search.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/home/record?app=cangaz&IdNumber=4693&q=Canada%20gazette%20November,%201916|title=Canada Gazette, volume 50, number 22|date=25 November 1916| page= 1720|access-date=14 June 2023}}</ref> approved the recommendation of his British prime minister, [[H. H. Asquith]], to appoint Devonshire as his representative in Canada. The appointment caused political problems, as [[Canadian Prime Minister]] [[Robert Borden]] had not been consulted on the matter, contrary to practice that had been well established by that time. Borden thus felt insulted, which led to considerable difficulties at the beginning of Devonshire's tenure after he was sworn in on 11 November 1916 during a ceremony held in [[Halifax, Nova Scotia|Halifax]].<ref name=GGCav/>

In that era, there was social unrest in the country. The [[women's suffrage]] movement gaining momentum in Canada, calls were coming out of the prairies for socialist changes to the governmental system and war continued to rage around the world. Canada was providing troops and supplies, and shortly after his installation, acting on the advice of Borden, Devonshire introduced [[conscription]], a decision that was particularly divisive between [[French Canadian|French]] and [[English Canadians]] and sparked the [[Conscription Crisis of 1917]]. The same year, he also travelled to [[Nova Scotia]] to survey the damage caused by the [[Halifax Explosion]] on 6 December. There, he met with survivors and addressed the women of the [[Voluntary Aid Detachment]].<ref>{{cite web| url=http://collectionscanada.gc.ca/pam_archives/index.php?fuseaction=genitem.displayItem&lang=eng&rec_nbr=3623771&rec_nbr_list=3623771,3192693,3400879,3400834,3214871,3214875,3509630,3642832,3400861,3400794&back_url=(http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/lac-bac/result/arch.php?FormName=Fed+Simple+Search&SourceQuery=&SortSpec=score+desc&Language=eng&SearchIn_1=&SearchInText_1=duke+of+devonshire&Operator_1=AND&SearchIn_2=&SearchInText_2=&Operator_2=AND&SearchIn_3=&SearchInText_3=&Sources_1=amicus&Sources_2=mikan&Sources_3=genapp&Sources_4=web&soundex=on&cainInd=&ResultCount=10&MaxDocs=-1&Sources=mikan&Media=Media.Photographs&DigitalImages=1&PageNum=1)| title=Library and Archives Canada > MIKAN no. 3623771| publisher=Queen's Printer for Canada| access-date=27 April 2009| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://archive.today/20130110113739/http://collectionscanada.gc.ca/pam_archives/index.php?fuseaction=genitem.displayItem&lang=eng&rec_nbr=3623771&rec_nbr_list=3623771,3192693,3400879,3400834,3214871,3214875,3509630,3642832,3400861,3400794&back_url=(http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/lac-bac/result/arch.php%3FFormName=Fed+Simple+Search&SourceQuery=&SortSpec=score+desc&Language=eng&SearchIn_1=&SearchInText_1=duke+of+devonshire&Operator_1=AND&SearchIn_2=&SearchInText_2=&Operator_2=AND&SearchIn_3=&SearchInText_3=&Sources_1=amicus&Sources_2=mikan&Sources_3=genapp&Sources_4=web&soundex=on&cainInd=&ResultCount=10&MaxDocs=-1&Sources=mikan&Media=Media.Photographs&DigitalImages=1&PageNum=1)| archive-date=10 January 2013}}</ref>

The Canadian victory in 1917 at the [[Battle of Vimy Ridge]], however, helped fuel Canadian pride and nationalism at home, and the Governor General, while conscious of his role's remaining connection to the British government, used the victory positively and publicly to encourage reconciliation between Canada's two main linguistic groups. At all times, Devonshire was careful to consult with his prime minister and the leaders of [[Official Opposition (Canada)|His Majesty's Loyal Opposition]] in Canada on matters related to conscription and the war effort.<ref name=GGCav/>

Devonshire took an active interest in the lives of Canadians and conducted various tours of the country to meet with them. As a landowner himself, the Governor General was particularly focused on the development of farming in Canada and during his travels.<ref name=CE/> At agricultural and horticultural fairs, shows, and [[Maple syrup#Production|sugaring-off]] parties in [[Gatineau]], he discussed agricultural issues with farmers and other people in the industry. His speeches often referred to Canada's potential to lead the world in agricultural research and development, and one of his major projects as viceroy was establishing experimental farms, including the Crown's [[Central Experimental Farm|central one in Ottawa]]. At the same time, Devonshire acted as a patron of the arts.

When not on tour or residing at [[Citadelle of Quebec|La Citadelle]], the viceregal residence in [[Quebec City]] at which the Duke enjoyed spending time, he frequently visited the [[National Gallery of Canada|National Gallery]] and hosted theatrical performances at [[Rideau Hall]]. There, on the grounds of the royal residence, during the winters, the Devonshires also hosted tobogganing and [[Ice skating|skating]] parties, as well as [[Ice hockey|hockey]] matches. Officially, in 1918 Devonshire travelled to the United States to meet President [[Woodrow Wilson]] informally, and the following year, he was host to [[Edward VIII|Prince Edward, Prince of Wales]], during his first tour of Canada.<ref name=GGCav/>

By the end of his tenure as Governor General, Devonshire had overcome all of the initial suspicions that had surrounded his appointment, and both men who served as his Canadian prime minister, Borden and [[Arthur Meighen]], came to view him as a personal friend of them and also of Canada. The former said of Devonshire: "No Governor General has come with a more comprehensive grasp of public questions as they touch not only this country and the United Kingdom, but the whole [[British Empire|Empire]]".<ref name=GGCav/> The Duke left as a mark of his time in Canada the Devonshire Cup, for the annual golf competition of the Canadian Seniors Golf Association,<ref>{{Cite book |last=Barclay |first=James A. |title=Golf in Canada: A History |publisher=McClelland and Stewart |year=1992 |location=Toronto |pages=456 |isbn=978-0-7710-1080-4}}</ref> and the Duke of Devonshire Trophy, for the [[Ottawa Horticultural Society]]. While in Canada, Devonshire's two [[Aide-de-Camp|aides-de-camp]] married his daughters.

==Later career==
[[File:St Peter's Churchyard, Edensor - grave of Victor Cavendish, 9th Duke of Devonshire.JPG|thumb|[[St Peter's Church, Edensor|St Peter's Churchyard, Edensor]] &ndash; grave of Victor Cavendish, 9th Duke of Devonshire KG, GCMG, GCVO, TD, PC (1868–1938)]]

On returning to England, Devonshire worked at the [[League of Nations]] before serving from 1922 to 1924 as [[Secretary of State for the Colonies]] (with a seat in the Cabinet, while headed by Prime Ministers [[Bonar Law]] and [[Stanley Baldwin]]).<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=32982 |date=14 October 1924 |page=7430}}</ref> There, he opposed the views of [[Hugh Cholmondeley, 3rd Baron Delamere|Lord Delemere]], the leading white settler in [[Kenya]], who had helped found the [[Happy Valley set]] and campaigned for self-government by white settlers. Devonshire advocated protecting the interests of the [[African people|Africans]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Protectorate and trusteeship |url=http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/cabinetpapers/themes/protectorate-trusteeship.htm |website=The National Archives |access-date=10 March 2016}}</ref> The [[Devonshire White Paper]] of 1923, which he authored, was cited as a reason why Kenya did not develop as a white minority rule, similar to the model of the [[Union of South Africa]] and [[Southern Rhodesia]].<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BqWshUWJBikC |title=Struggle for Kenya: The Loss and Reassertion of Imperial Initiative, 1912-1923 |publisher=Fairleigh Dickinson Univ Press |author=Maxon, Robert M. |year=1993 |pages=270–279 |isbn=9780838634868}}</ref>

In 1922, he was appointed by King George V to the committee that was charged with looking into how honours were to be bestowed in the United Kingdom.<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=32749 |date=22 September 1922 |page=6767}}</ref> 

In 1925, the [[Cavendish Golf Club]] was opened in [[Derbyshire]]. In 1923, he commissioned the [[Lido Prize]] winner Dr. [[Alister MacKenzie]] to design the course. MacKenzie graduated from University of Cambridge in 1891 and attended the university at the same time as the future Duke.<ref>Alister MacKenzie Society (UK) Chronology, https://alistermackenzie.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/22nd-Revision-MacKenzie-Chronology-Jan-2025.pdf</ref> The land afforded by the Duke at the time of commission was not large. MacKenzie believed that the quality of a hole was not determined by its length. The resulting design is considered one of the finest short courses (less than 6,000 yards) in the United Kingdom. The course takes advantage of the natural features of the area, which is a hallmark of MacKenzie's designs. [[Augusta National]], [[Cypress Point]], [[Royal Melbourne Golf Club|Royal Melbourne]], Meadow Club, [[Pasatiempo]], and Crystal Downs are other courses designed by the same architect. Cavendish Golf Club is considered by some to be the inspiration for Augusta National, home of the [[Masters Tournament]].<ref>Cavendish Golf Club, https://www.cavendishgolfclub.com/inspiration-for-augusta/</ref> In the quiet section of Buxton, the course is home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, hares, buzzards, kestrels, and sparrow hawks.<ref>UK Golf Guide: Cavendish Golf Club, https://www.thegolfguide.co.uk/golf-guide-golf-clubs/cavendish-golf-club/</ref> 

From 1933 to his death, he was Honorary Colonel of the [[Derbyshire Yeomanry|24 (Derbyshire Yeomanry) Armoured Car Company]], [[Royal Tank Regiment]], in the Territorial Army.<ref>{{cite book |title=Kelly's Handbook of Distinguished People, 1938 |publisher=Kelly's |page=588}}</ref> He simultaneously continued to run his agricultural land holdings, especially around [[Chatsworth House]], where he died in May 1938.

==Arms==
{{Emblem table
| image = Coat of arms of Cavendish, Dukes of Devonshire, KG.svg
| crest = A serpent nowed proper.
| coronet = 
| escutcheon = Sable three stags' heads caboshed argent.
| supporters = Dester, A horse argent bridled gules; Sinister, A stag proper.
| motto = ''Cavendo tutus'' (Secure by caution).
| orders = The Most Noble Order of the Garter - Knight Companion (KG).<ref>{{cite book |title=Burke's peerage and baronetage |year=1894 |page=424 |URL=https://ukga.org/browse.php?action=ViewRec&DB=33&bookID=227&pagecount=564}}</ref>
}}

==Honours==
{{Infobox viceroy styles
| image    = [[File:Crest of the Governor General of Canada 1901-1921.svg|30px]]
| name     = The Duke of Devonshire
| dipstyle = His Grace<br />''Sa Grâce''
| offstyle = Your Grace<br />''Votre Grâce''
}}

{| border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" align="center" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background:white; border: 1px #0047AB solid; border-collapse: collapse;"
|- bgcolor="white"
! colspan="4" align="center"|<span style="color:black;">Ribbon bars of the Duke of Devonshire</span>
|-
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|ribbon=UK Order St-Michael St-George ribbon.svg}}
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|ribbon=Royal Victorian Order ribbon sm.jpg}}
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|ribbon=Order_of_St_John_(UK)_ribbon_-vector.svg}}
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|ribbon=King Edward VII Coronation Medal (Military) ribbon.png}}
|-
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|ribbon=King George V Coronation Medal ribbon.svg}}
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|ribbon=King George V Silver Jubilee Medal ribbon.svg}}
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|ribbon=GeorgeVICoronationRibbon.png}}
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|ribbon=Territorial Decoration (UK) ribbon.PNG}}
|}

;Appointments
* {{flagicon|United Kingdom}} 11 December 1905 – 6 May 1938: [[Her Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council|Member of His Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council]] (PC)
* {{flagicon|United Kingdom}} 19 August 1912 – 6 May 1938: [[Royal Victorian Order|Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order]] (GCVO)<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=28639 |date=27 August 1912 |page=6371}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|United Kingdom}} 28 July 1916 – 6 May 1938: [[Order of St Michael and St George|Knight Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George]] (GCMG)<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=29687 |date=28 July 1916 |page=7477}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|United Kingdom}} 18 August 1916 – 27 November 1917: [[Venerable Order of Saint John|Knight of Grace of the Order of St John of Jerusalem]] (KGStJ)<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=29711|page=8150|date=18 August 1916}}</ref>
** 27 November 1917 – 6 May 1938: Knight of Justice of the Order of St John of Jerusalem (KJStJ)<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=30402|page=12354|date=27 November 1917}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Canada|1868}} 11 November 1916 – 2 August 1921: [[Scouts Canada#Organizational structure|Chief Scout for Canada]]
* {{flagicon|Canada|1868}} 11 November 1916 – 6 May 1938: [[Royal Military College of Canada|Honorary Member of the Royal Military College of Canada Club]]
* {{flagicon|England}} 1 January 1916<ref>{{London Gazette|supp=y|issue=29423|page=79|date=1 January 1916}}</ref> – 6 May 1938: [[Order of the Garter|Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter]] (KG)

;Medals
* {{Flagicon|United Kingdom}} 1902: [[King Edward VII Coronation Medal]]
* {{flagicon|United Kingdom}} 1911: [[King George V Coronation Medal]]
* {{flagicon|United Kingdom}} 1935: [[King George V Silver Jubilee Medal]]
* {{flagicon|United Kingdom}} 1937: [[King George VI Coronation Medal]]
* {{flagicon|United Kingdom}} 1923: [[Territorial Decoration]]<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=32803|page=1823|date=6 March 1923}}</ref>

===Honorary military appointments===
* {{flagicon|Canada|1868}} 11 November 1916 – 2 August 1921: Colonel of [[the Governor General's Horse Guards]]
* {{flagicon|Canada|1868}} 11 November 1916 – 2 August 1921: Colonel of the [[Governor General's Foot Guards]]
* {{flagicon|Canada|1868}} 11 November 1916 – 2 August 1921: Colonel of [[the Canadian Grenadier Guards]]

===Honorary degrees===
* {{flagicon|Canada|1868}} 1917: [[University of Alberta]], [[Doctor of Laws]] (LLD)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.uofaweb.ualberta.ca/senate/honorarydegreeslist.cfm#C |title=University of Alberta Senate > Honorary Degrees > Past Honorary Degree Recipients > C |publisher=University of Alberta |access-date=28 April 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110527195725/http://www.uofaweb.ualberta.ca/senate/honorarydegreeslist.cfm#C |archive-date=27 May 2011}}</ref>

{{Expand list|date=June 2009}}

===Honorific eponyms===
;Awards
* {{flag|Canada}}: [[Devonshire Cup]]
* {{flag|Ontario}}: [[Duke of Devonshire Trophy]]

;Geographic locations

Ottawa, Ontario Devonshire Community Public School

* {{flag|Saskatchewan}}: [[Devonshire Crescent (Imperial)|Devonshire Crescent]], [[Imperial, Saskatchewan|Imperial]]

== See also ==
* [[Bell Memorial]]
* [[Duke of Devonshire]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Victor Cavendish, 9th Duke of Devonshire}}
* {{Hansard-contribs | mr-victor-cavendish | Victor Cavendish }}
*[http://archive.gg.ca/gg/fgg/bios/01/devonshire_e.asp Website of the Governor General of Canada entry for Duke of Devonshire]
*{{UK National Archives ID}}

{{S-start}}
{{s-gov}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Governor General of Canada]]|years=1916–1921}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Julian Byng, 1st Viscount Byng of Vimy|The Lord Byng of Vimy]]}}
{{s-off}}
{{succession box |
 title  = [[Treasurer of the Household]] |
 years  = 1900–1903 |
 before = [[Richard Curzon, 4th Earl Howe|The Earl Howe]] |
 after  = [[James Hamilton, 3rd Duke of Abercorn|Marquess of Hamilton]]
}}
{{succession box |
 title  = [[Financial Secretary to the Treasury]] |
 years  = 1903–1905 |
 before = [[Arthur Elliot (politician)|Arthur Elliot]] |
 after  = [[Reginald McKenna]]
}}
{{succession box |
 title  = [[Civil Lord of the Admiralty]] |
 years  = 1915–1916 |
 after  = [[Victor Bulwer-Lytton, 2nd Earl of Lytton|The Earl of Lytton]] |
 before = [[George Lambert, 1st Viscount Lambert|George Lambert]]
}}
{{succession box|title=[[Government Chief Whip]] in the [[House of Lords]]|years=1915–1916|before=[[Edward Colebrooke, 1st Baron Colebrooke|The Lord Colebrooke]]|with=[[Edward Colebrooke, 1st Baron Colebrooke|The Lord Colebrooke]]|after=[[Edward Colebrooke, 1st Baron Colebrooke|The Lord Colebrooke]]|after2=[[Hylton Jolliffe, 3rd Baron Hylton|The Lord Hylton]]}}
{{succession box |
 title  = [[Secretary of State for the Colonies]] |
 years  = 1922–1924 |
 before = [[Winston Churchill]] |
 after  = [[James Henry Thomas]]
}}
{{s-par|uk}}
{{succession box |
 title  = Member of Parliament for [[West Derbyshire (UK Parliament constituency)|West Derbyshire]] |
 years  = 1891–[[1908 West Derbyshire by-election|1908]] |
 before = [[Lord Edward Cavendish]] |
 after  = [[Henry Petty-Fitzmaurice, 6th Marquess of Lansdowne|Earl of Kerry]]
}}
{{s-ppo}}
{{succession box|title=[[Conservative Chief Whip]] in the [[House of Lords]]|years=1911–1916|before=[[William Waldegrave, 9th Earl Waldegrave|The Earl Waldegrave]]|after=[[Hylton Jolliffe, 3rd Baron Hylton|The Lord Hylton]]}}
{{s-aca}}
{{succession box |
 title  = [[University of Leeds|Chancellor of the University of Leeds]] |
 years  = 1909–1938 |
 before = [[George Robinson, 1st Marquess of Ripon|The Marquess of Ripon]] |
 after  = [[Edward Cavendish, 10th Duke of Devonshire|The 10th Duke of Devonshire]]
}}
{{s-hon}}
{{succession box |
 title  = [[Lord Lieutenant of Derbyshire]] |
 years  = 1908–1938 |
 before = [[Spencer Cavendish, 8th Duke of Devonshire|The 8th Duke of Devonshire]] |
 after  = [[Edward Cavendish, 10th Duke of Devonshire|The 10th Duke of Devonshire]]
}}
{{s-reg|en}}
{{succession box |
 title  = [[Duke of Devonshire]] |
 years  = 1908–1938 |
 before = [[Spencer Cavendish, 8th Duke of Devonshire|Spencer Cavendish]] |
 after  = [[Edward Cavendish, 10th Duke of Devonshire|Edward Cavendish]]
}}
{{S-end}}

{{CanGG}}
{{Bonar Law Ministry}}
{{Babies of the House}}
{{Dukes of Devonshire}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Devonshire, Victor Cavendish, 9th Duke of}}
[[Category:1868 births]]
[[Category:1938 deaths]]
[[Category:Secretaries of state for the colonies]]
[[Category:Deputy lieutenants of Derbyshire]]
[[Category:Deputy lieutenants of Lancashire]]
[[Category:Dukes of Devonshire|109]]
[[Category:Earls of Burlington (1831 creation)|*04]]
[[Category:English justices of the peace]]
[[Category:Fellows of the Royal Society (Statute 12)|Cavendish, Victor]]
[[Category:Governors general of Canada]]
[[Category:Knights of the Garter]]
[[Category:Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order]]
[[Category:Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George]]
[[Category:Lord-lieutenants of Derbyshire]]
[[Category:Lords of the Admiralty]]
[[Category:Liberal Unionist Party MPs for English constituencies|Cavendish, Victor]]
[[Category:Liberal Unionist Party peers]]
[[Category:Alumni of Trinity College, Cambridge]]
[[Category:Members of the Parliament of the United Kingdom for constituencies in Derbyshire|Cavendish, Victor]]
[[Category:UK MPs 1886–1892|Cavendish, Victor]]
[[Category:UK MPs 1892–1895|Cavendish, Victor]]
[[Category:UK MPs 1895–1900|Cavendish, Victor]]
[[Category:UK MPs 1900–1906|Cavendish, Victor]]
[[Category:UK MPs 1906–1910|Cavendish, Victor]]
[[Category:UK MPs who inherited peerages|Devonshire, D9]]
[[Category:Cavendish family|Victor Cavendish, 9th Duke of Devonshire]]
[[Category:Treasurers of the Household]]
[[Category:Directors of the Furness Railway]]
[[Category:Presidents of the Marylebone Cricket Club]]
[[Category:Chief Scouts of Canada]]
[[Category:Derbyshire Yeomanry officers]]
[[Category:20th-century British landowners]]
[[Category:Mayors of Chesterfield]]
[[Category:Members of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:British Freemasons]]
[[Category:Members of Isaac Newton University Lodge]]
[[Category:People educated at Eton College]]
[[Category:People associated with the University of Leeds]]
[[Category:Volunteer Force officers]]
[[Category:Territorial Force officers]]
[[Category:19th-century British Army personnel]]
[[Category:20th-century British Army personnel]]
[[Category:Military personnel from the City of Westminster]]
[[Category:People from Mayfair]]