Former Governors General
From 1867 to 1931, Canada's governor general was chosen by the Sovereign, and the person chosen was always a British aristocrat. In 1931, the Canadian government was granted the responsibility to make recommendations to the Sovereign for the position of governor general.
It was only in 1952 that, without first consulting with the British prime minister, a prime minister of Canada recommended to the Sovereign one single name: Vincent Massey, Canada’s first Canadian Governor General. This nomination marked an important evolution in Canadian history.
The naming of a Canadian governor general reflected this country’s new sense of autonomy and identity in the post-war era. Since 1952, all of Canada’s governors general have been and must be Canadian citizens. As you will discover when reading their biographies, Canadian governors general come from all walks of life and are representative of the Canadian population.
The Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean 2005-2010
The Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson 1999-2005
The Right Honourable Roméo LeBlanc 1995-1999
The Right Honourable Ramon John Hnatyshyn 1990-1995
The Right Honourable Jeanne Sauvé 1984-1990
The Right Honourable Edward Schreyer1979-1984
The Right Honourable Jules Léger1974-1979
The Right Honourable Roland Michener1967-1974
General The Right Honourable Georges Philias Vanier1959-1967
The Right Honourable Vincent Massey1952-1959
The Viscount Alexander 1946-1952
The Earl of Athlone 1940-1946
Lord Tweedsmuir 1935-1940
The Earl of Bessborough 1931-1935
The Viscount Willingdon 1926-1931
Lord Byng 1921-1926
The Duke of Devonshire 1916-1921
H.R.H The Duke of Connaught 1911-1916
Earl Grey 1904-1911
The Earl of Minto 1898-1904
The Earl of Aberdeen 1893-1898
The Earl of Derby (Lord Stanley) 1888-1893
The Marquess of Lansdowne 1883-1888
The Duke of Argyll (Marquess of Lorne) 1878-1883
The Earl of Dufferin 1872-1878
Lord Lisgar 1869-1872
The Viscount Monck 1867-1868
