Minto, Earl of (1845-1914), was a British colonial administrator who served as governor general of Canada from 1898 to 1904. As governor general, he supported sending Canadian volunteer forces to southern Africa to aid British troops in the Anglo-Boer War of 1899-1902. French-speaking Canadians opposed Canadian participation in foreign wars and protested the move. English-speaking Canadians approved it. As a result, the French-speaking group and the English-speaking group became more divided on Canada’s role in the British Empire. Minto also promoted land conservation and the creation of the Public Archives of Canada.
The Earl of Minto was born in London on July 9, 1845. His given and family name was Gilbert John Murray Kynynmond Elliot. In 1891, he inherited the family estate near Hawick, Scotland, succeeding his father as Earl of Minto. Minto served as viceroy of India from 1905 to 1910. In that position, he helped bring about reforms that enlarged government councils to include elected Indians for the first time. He died on March 1, 1914.
