Bessborough, << BEHZ bruh, >> Earl of (1880-1956), served as governor general of Canada from 1931 to 1935. He was the first governor general appointed solely on the advice of the Canadian government. Before 1931, the British government had played the major role in selecting the governor general.
Bessborough was born on Oct. 27, 1880, in London. His given and family name was Vere Brabazon Ponsonby. He served in the British Parliament in 1910 and from 1913 to 1920. He assumed the title of earl in 1920. While Bessborough was governor general, he revived a series of amateur drama competitions called the Dominion Drama Festival. Canada was formally recognized as independent from Britain during his term, in 1931. He died on March 10, 1956.
