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Victor Alexander Bruce, 9th Earl of Elgin: A Distinguished Family Connection

This is my fourth cousin, Victor Alexander Bruce, the 9th Earl of Elgin and 13th Earl of Kincardine, son of my other cousin James Bruce. Remarkably, Victor bears a striking resemblance to my first cousin, Ken Bland, who is also his fourth cousin. When I first saw their photos side by side, I was amazed by how alike they looked—aside from the beard, the resemblance is uncanny!

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A Connection to Winston Churchill

One of the most fascinating facts about Victor Alexander Bruce is that he worked directly with Winston Churchill, who would later become Prime Minister of Great Britain and is often regarded as one of the most influential leaders of the 20th century. Winston Churchill is also a distant cousin of this author making the connection even more interesting.

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Early Life and Education

Born in Montreal, Canada, Victor was the son of James Bruce, 8th Earl of Elgin, who served as Governor-General of Canada, and Lady Mary Louisa Lambton, daughter of John Lambton, 1st Earl of Durham.
Victor was educated at Glenalmond, Eton College, and Balliol College, Oxford, receiving a classic education befitting a future statesman.

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Political Career and Service as Viceroy of India

Following in his father’s footsteps, Elgin entered British politics as a Liberal. In 1886, he served as Treasurer of the Household and later as First Commissioner of Works under Prime Minister William Ewart Gladstone.

In 1894, Victor was appointed Viceroy of India, a prestigious yet challenging post. Known for his reserved and conservative nature, he found little enjoyment in the pomp and pageantry of the role. His tenure was marked by significant hardship, including a devastating famine in India that claimed up to 4.5 million lives.

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Later Career and Collaboration with Churchill

Upon returning to England in 1899, Elgin was honored as a Knight of the Garter. Between 1902 and 1903, he chaired the Commission investigating the conduct of the Second Boer War.

When the Liberal Party regained power in 1905, Elgin became Secretary of State for the Colonies. His Undersecretary at the time was none other than Winston Churchill. Elgin pursued a cautious, conservative colonial policy and opposed the generous post-war settlement proposed by Prime Minister Campbell-Bannerman. When H.H. Asquith became Prime Minister, Elgin was not included in the new government and retired from public life in 1908.

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Family Life and Legacy

According to historical records and Wikipedia, Lord Elgin married Lady Constance Mary Carnegie, daughter of James Carnegie, 9th Earl of Southesk, in 1876. Together they had six sons and five daughters:

• Lady Elizabeth Mary Bruce (1877–1944)

• Lady Christina Augusta Bruce (1879–1940)

• Lady Constance Veronica Bruce (1880–1969)

• Edward James Bruce, 10th Earl of Elgin (1881–1968)

• Hon. Robert Bruce (1882–1959)

• Hon. Alexander Bruce (1884–1917)

• Lady Marjorie Bruce (1885–1901)

• Colonel Hon. David Bruce (1888–1964)

• Lady Rachel Catherine Bruce (1890–1964)

• Captain Hon. John Bernard Bruce (1892–1971)

• Hon. Victor Alexander Bruce (1897–1930)

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Death and Succession

Lord Elgin passed away at his family estate in Dunfermline in January 1917, aged 67.