The Merrickville Book Emporium is proud to announce a book-signing the afternoon of November 9th. J. William Galbraith, author of John Buchan: Model Governor General, will be in our store on Saturday, November 9th from 1 to 4 pm signing copies of his newly released biography of the celebrated governor general, published by Dundurn.
With forewords written by David Johnston, the current Governor General of Canada, and Lady Deborah Stewartby, Galbraith's book also features 30 illustrations and copies will be available in store.
An accomplished Scottish journalist, soldier, head of intelligence, and Member of Parliament, John Buchan (1875-1940) is best known for penning thrillers such as The Thirty-Nine Steps. However, as Canada's 15th governor general (1935-40), Buchan, 1st Baron Tweedsmuir, played a significant leadership role as a statesman and diplomat.
Buchan was the first governor general appointed after the 1931 Statute of Westminster, which gave Canada constitutional equality with Britain. He worked tirelessly for Canadian unity and promoted the sovereignty, and loyalty to the sovereign, of Canada. In 1937 he founded the Governor General's Awards, still Canada's premier prizes for literary achievement.
Lord Tweedsmuir helped draw Canada, Britain, and the United States together to strengthen the democracies threatened by Nazism and Fascism. He was an inspiration to several of his successors and still inspires us today.
J. William Galbraith is a council member of the John Buchan Society. His career has spanned the private and public sectors. He lives in Ottawa.