John Buchan

• 1. A Boy In The Scottish Borders

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  John Buchan was born on the 26th of August 1875 at a double villa in Perth, Scotland. That building now bears his name as part of the York Place heritage site. He grew up in Kirkcaldy and spent summers with grandparents in Broughton within the Scottish Borders. These holidays instilled a lifelong love for walking and local wildlife that would later fill his novels. His first novel appeared in 1895 when he was just twenty years old. By then he had already begun writing poetry and prose alongside fiction and non-fiction works. At age seventeen he won a scholarship to study classics at the University of Glasgow under Gilbert Murray. He moved to Brasenose College Oxford in 1895 where he earned both Junior and Senior Hulme scholarships. Buchan wrote six published works during his time there including Grey Weather which came out in 1899. He also penned three early adventure novels such as John Burnet of Barns and A Lost Lady of Old Years.

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• 2. From Barrister To War Propagandist

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  Buchan called to the Bar in June 1901 after graduating from Oxford. He traveled to South Africa in September 1901 to serve as private secretary to Lord Milner near the end of the Boer War. This experience gave him firsthand knowledge of a country that would feature prominently in his future writings. He returned to London in 1903 and resumed his legal career while working as a journalist. In December 1906 he joined Thomas Nelson and Sons publishing company. The outbreak of World War I changed his trajectory dramatically. He began writing a history of the war for his publishers that eventually expanded to twenty-four volumes by 1918. During 1915 he worked as a war correspondent in France for The Times newspaper. His most famous novel The Thirty-Nine Steps was published that same year featuring Richard Hannay as its hero. Buchan received a field commission as second lieutenant in the Intelligence Corps in June 1916. By 1917 David Lloyd George appointed him Director of Information leading Britain's entire propaganda effort. He later became head of intelligence within the newly formed Ministry of Information under Lord Beaverbrook.

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• 3. Parliament And A Jewish Homeland

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  Buchan entered Parliament in 1927 as Unionist Party Member for Combined Scottish Universities. Beginning in 1930 he aligned himself openly with Zionism. At a mass demonstration organized by the Jewish National Fund in 1934 he described Zionism as great act of justice reparation for centuries of cruelty against Gentile people. He maintained friendship with Chaim Weizmann helping keep alive Britain's commitment to establishing a Jewish state. Despite this support conflicting views exist regarding whether his personal views were anti-semitic or imperialistic during earlier periods. Some critics point to satirical poems like The Semitic Spirit Speaks which remained unpublished due to his discomfort with certain wealthy Jews he met in South Africa. Others note favorable depictions of individual Jews in works such as A Lodge in the Wilderness from 1906. His name was inscribed in the Golden Book of the Jewish National Fund while appearing in Nazi publications listing him as pro-Jewish activity. Both Buchan and his wife Susan spoke publicly in favor of Zionism lending royal cachet to the cause.

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• 4. Governor General Of Canada

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  King George V appointed John Buchan as Governor General of Canada on the 27th of March 1935 following advice from Prime Minister R.B. Bennett. He departed for Canada shortly after being elevated to peerage as Baron Tweedsmuir on the 1st of June 1935. Buchan arrived in Quebec City where he was sworn in as country's viceregal representative on the 2nd of November 1935. This appointment marked first Governor General chosen solely by Canadian monarch since Statute of Westminster enacted December 1931. He traveled extensively across Canada including Arctic regions promoting national unity throughout Great Depression era. In Montreal 1937 he stated Canadian loyalty belonged first to Canada itself rather than British Commonwealth though media initially misquoted him. Buchan encouraged distinct Canadian identity despite ongoing economic hardship affecting population. He strengthened sovereignty constitutionally and culturally while allowing ethnic groups to retain individuality contributing to national character. The Governor General also approved establishment of Governor General's Literary Awards in 1936 after discussions with Canadian Authors Association under Dr Pelham Edgar chairmanship.

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• 5. The Royal Tour And Peace Efforts

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  Buchan conceived the historic royal tour of Canada before King George VI coronation in 1937. He argued that visit would have unifying effect on nation while trip to United States would help democratic relations. Prime Minister Mackenzie King initially opposed spending money during depression but eventually agreed after Buchan secured commitment from Buckingham Palace. During May and June 1939 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth toured coast to coast visiting United States afterward. The couple opened Lions Gate Bridge Vancouver in May 1939 sitting in Parliament granting Royal Assent to bills passed there. Buchan remained largely out sight during tour believing he ceased existing as Viceroy when King present. He signed Canada declaration war against Germany the 10th of September 1939 one week after Britain declared war. This delay allowed war materiel like aeroplanes move from neutral United States prohibited under Neutrality Act. Negotiations established air training plan for Commonwealth crew throughout fall 1939 despite difficulties with Canadian government control demands. Buchan played key role securing British agreement final negotiations mid December 1939 acknowledged warmly by Mackenzie King.

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