Eighth Earl of Elgin
Elgin, James Bruce, Eighth Earl of (1811–1863), a British diplomat. As governor general of Canada, 1847–54, he carried out the plan of his father-in-law, the Earl of Durham, for establishing “responsible government” (representative government). Elgin also negotiated a reciprocal trade treaty with the United States (1854) that helped spur Canadian economic development.
Elgin was born in London. He served as governor of Jamaica, 1842–46. After leaving Canada in 1854, he concluded British trade agreements with China and Japan. He was named viceroy of India in 1862, but died shortly after taking his post.