John Hamilton-Gordon, 1st Marquess of Aberdeen and Temair facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Most Honourable
The Marquess of Aberdeen and Temair
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| Lord Lieutenant of Ireland | |
| In office 11 December 1905 – 17 February 1915 |
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| Monarch | Edward VII George V |
| Prime Minister | Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman H. H. Asquith David Lloyd George |
| Preceded by | The Earl of Dudley |
| Succeeded by | The Lord Wimborne |
| In office 8 February 1886 – 20 July 1886 |
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| Monarch | Victoria |
| Prime Minister | William Ewart Gladstone |
| Preceded by | The Earl of Carnarvon |
| Succeeded by | The Marquess of Londonderry |
| 7th Governor General of Canada | |
| In office 18 September 1893 – 12 November 1898 |
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| Monarch | Victoria |
| Prime Minister | Canadian: John Thompson Mackenzie Bowell Charles Tupper Wilfrid Laurier British: William Ewart Gladstone Lord Rosebery Lord Salisbury |
| Preceded by | The Lord Stanley of Preston |
| Succeeded by | The Earl of Minto |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
John Campbell Hamilton-Gordon
3 August 1847 Edinburgh, Midlothian, U.K. |
| Died | 7 March 1934 (aged 86) Tarland, Aberdeenshire United Kingdom |
| Nationality | British |
| Political party | Liberal |
| Spouse | Hon. Ishbel Marjoribanks |
| Children | George, 2nd Marquess of Aberdeen and Temair Marjorie, Baroness Pentland Dudley, 3rd Marquess of Aberdeen and Temair Lord Archibald Gordon |
| Parents | The 5th Earl of Aberdeen Mary Baillie |
| Alma mater | University of St. Andrews University College, Oxford |
John Campbell Hamilton-Gordon, 1st Marquess of Aberdeen and Temair (born August 3, 1847 – died March 7, 1934) was an important British politician. He was also known as The 7th Earl of Aberdeen for many years.
Born in Edinburgh, Scotland, Lord Aberdeen held important jobs in different countries. He served twice as the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland (in 1886, and again from 1905 to 1915). He was also the Governor General of Canada from 1893 to 1898.
Contents
Growing Up and Family Life
John Campbell Hamilton-Gordon was born in Edinburgh. His parents were George Hamilton-Gordon, 5th Earl of Aberdeen, and Mary Baillie. He went to college at the University of St Andrews and University College, Oxford.
In January 1870, his older brother passed away. This meant John became the 7th Earl of Aberdeen.
In 1877, he married Ishbel Maria Marjoribanks (1857–1939). They had been friends for a long time. Ishbel was also a very active person. She became the President of the International Council of Women and started the National Council of Women of Canada. She also helped create the Victorian Order of Nurses.
John and Ishbel had five children:
- George Gordon, 2nd Marquess of Aberdeen and Temair (1879–1965)
- Marjorie Adeline Gordon (1880–1970)
- Dorothea Gordon (March – November 1882)
- Dudley Gladstone Gordon, 3rd Marquess of Aberdeen and Temair (1883–1972)
- Archibald Ian Gordon (1884–1909)
A Life in Politics and Public Service
Lord Aberdeen became a member of the House of Lords in January 1870. He was part of the Liberal Party. In 1880, he became the Lord Lieutenant of Aberdeenshire.
From 1881 to 1885, he served as Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. He held this position again in 1915. In 1886, he was briefly appointed Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. This is a representative of the British monarch in Ireland.
In 1884, he hosted a special dinner at Haddo House for William Ewart Gladstone, a famous Prime Minister. A painting of this event is now in the National Portrait Gallery, London.
His Time in Canada
In 1891, Lord Aberdeen bought a large farm called Coldstream Ranch in British Columbia, Canada. He started the first commercial fruit orchards there. This helped create a new industry and encouraged other British people to move to the area. Today, parts of the ranch are in the town of Coldstream. Places like Aberdeen Lake and Haddo Creek are named after him and his family.
He served as Governor General of Canada from 1893 to 1898. This was a time of big political changes in Canada. He traveled all over the country. People say he changed the role of Governor General. It became less about just representing the King or Queen. Instead, it became a symbol for the interests of all Canadian citizens.
Return to Ireland and Later Honors
Lord Aberdeen was appointed Lord Lieutenant of Ireland again in 1905. He served in this role until 1915. During this time, he also became the Lord Rector of the University of St Andrews (1913–1916).
He received several important honors. He was made a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George in 1895. In 1906, he became a Knight Companion of the Order of the Thistle. In 1911, he was made a Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order.
After he retired, in January 1916, he was given the title Marquess of Aberdeen and Temair. This was a very high honor.
Later Life and Legacy
Lord Aberdeen spent his later years at the House of Cromar in Tarland, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. He had built this house himself. He passed away there in 1934. His son, George, took over his title as Marquess.
The House of Cromar was later renamed Alastrean House.
A book called Jokes Cracked by Lord Aberdeen was published in 1929. It was a collection of funny stories he told at dinner parties. This book became popular again recently and was reissued in 2013.
The Rocking Chair Ranche
From 1883 to 1896, Lord Aberdeen was also an owner and investor in a ranch in Texas, USA. It was called the Rocking Chair Ranche. He owned it with his father-in-law and brother-in-law.
Places Named After Him
Several places are named in honor of Lord Aberdeen:
