Albert Grey, 4th Earl Grey

Albert Grey, 4th Earl Grey

Albert Henry George Grey, 4th Earl Grey PC GCB GCMG GCVO (28 November 1851 – 29 August 1917) was a British nobleman and politician who served as Governor General of Canada, the ninth since Canadian Confederation.

Grey was born the eldest son of a noble and political family in the United Kingdom and educated at Harrow School before moving on to the University of Cambridge. In 1878, he entered into politics as a member of the Liberal Party and, after relinquishing a tied vote to his opponent, eventually won a place in the British House of Commons in 1880. He in 1894 inherited the Earldom Grey from his uncle and thereafter took his place in the House of Lords, while simultaneously undertaking business ventures around the British Empire. He was in 1904 appointed as governor general by King Edward VII, on the recommendation of Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Arthur Balfour, to replace the Earl of Minto as viceroy and occupied that post until succeeded by Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn, in 1911. Grey travelled Canada extensively and was active in Canadian political affairs, including national unity, leaving behind him a number of legacies, the most prominent being the Grey Cup.

After ceasing to be the king's representative, Grey returned to the United Kingdom and continued to engage in imperial affairs before his death in 1917.