Buchan, << BUHK uhn, >> John (1875-1940), a British diplomat and author, served as governor general of Canada from 1935 to 1940. He traveled widely throughout Canada and encouraged Canadians to stress national unity over their regional differences. Buchan also supported the development of independent Canadian policies in world affairs and worked to strengthen ties between the United States and Canada. In addition, Buchan was a popular writer. In 1937, he agreed to the founding of the Governor General’s Literary Award, Canada’s highest literary honor.
Buchan was born on Aug. 26, 1875, in Perth, Scotland. He attended the universities of Glasgow and Oxford and, from 1927 to 1935, served in the British Parliament. In 1935, he was named first Baron Tweedsmuir of Elsfield.
Buchan wrote about 65 books. His output included several outstanding historical works and biographies, such as A History of the Great War (1921-1922), Julius Caesar (1932), Sir Walter Scott (1932), and Oliver Cromwell (1934). Buchan also wrote many novels of adventure, intrigue, and romance. His thriller The Thirty-Nine Steps (1915) was made into a movie by Alfred Hitchcock, a famous motion-picture director and producer. Memory Hold-the-Door (1940), an autobiography, was completed just before Buchan’s death. He died on Feb. 11, 1940.
