Albert Grey, 4th Earl Grey
Albert Henry George Grey, 4th Earl Grey GCMG, GCVO, PC ( born November 28, 1851 St. James 's Palace, London, † August 29 1917 in Howick, Northumberland ) was a British politician and statesman. The son of Lieutenant-General Charles Grey (1804-1870) and nephew of Henry Grey, 3rd Earl Grey was dated 10 October 1904 to 13 October 1911, the ninth Governor General of Canada.
Life
Albert Grey came from a family, from the number of successful reform politicians were already emerged. His grandfather, Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey had been Prime Minister from 1830 to 1834 and his uncle Henry Grey, 3rd Earl Grey, was the first colonial minister, who pursued a policy of colonial self-government, arguing that the colonies according to their own interests and should not be governed for the benefit of the mother country.
Albert studied at Trinity College, University of Cambridge history and jurisprudence and retired in 1880 as a delegate to the House of Commons. In 1886 he resigned his seat in protest against Gladstone's Home Rule Bill and took care of the administration of the goods of his uncle, whom he succeeded in the earldom in 1894. As 4th Earl Grey, he moved into the Upper House (House of Lords).
Grey traveled extensively throughout the British Empire and was from 1896-97 Administrator of Rhodesia. Economic experience he gained as director of the British South Africa Company of 1898 until 1904.
Governor General of Canada
Grey was a very active governor. He was in constant contact with the Canadian prime minister, and sat down very involved in social issues. He also tried to achieve a stronger political integration of all layers and bring together the English-speaking and French-speaking populations closer. Sir Wilfrid Laurier, the then Canadian Prime Minister said of him: "He dedicated his whole heart, his whole soul and his whole life in Canada. "
While Grey's tenure there was a huge economic development, industrialization and immigration in Canada. 1905 were Alberta and Saskatchewan in the Canadian Confederation. It was a time of upheaval. Died in 1910 King Edward VII, George V, succeeded him on the throne Wilfrid Laurier in 1911 and was replaced as Prime Minister by Sir Robert Borden.
Lord Grey also toured in Canada, the whole country, he was the first Governor-General, who visited and campaigned here to join the Confederation Newfoundland. He also maintained close contacts with Theodore Roosevelt and frequently visited the United States.
Albert Grey and his wife, Alice, were also involved very field of culture. They promoted the arts, 1906-08 participating actively in the preparations for the 300th anniversary of Québec and are committed to the establishment of a national park. Lady Grey was the first wife of a Governor General, who was granted the title of " Excellency ". They especially benefited begun to Lord Minto's term of office Garden competitions ( Lady Grey Competitions ). The daffodils that made her on the grounds of the official residence, Rideau Hall, planting, are still visible today.
Lord Grey was extremely popular in Canada. He and Lady Grey received for their work and commitment to social issues many awards. The Grey Cup, the most important trophy in Canadian football, was donated by Grey in 1909 and bears her name.
After the end of his tenure, Grey returned to England and became President of the Royal Colonial Institute, now the Royal Commonwealth Society, London. He died in 1917 at the family seat of Howick Hall in Northumberland. His son Charles inherited the title.