John Hamilton-Gordon, 1st Marquess Of Aberdeen And Temair

John Campbell Hamilton-Gordon, 1st Marquess of Aberdeen and Temair, was born on August 3, 1847, in Edinburgh, Scotland. He was the third son of George Hamilton-Gordon, 5th Earl of Aberdeen, and Mary Baillie, daughter of George Baillie. His maternal family was related to the Earl of Haddington. Aberdeen received education at the University of St Andrews and University College, Oxford.

Initially, Aberdeen was not expected to inherit his family titles, as his eldest brother, George, inherited them in 1864. However, following the suicides of his elder brothers James Henry in 1868 and George in 1870, Aberdeen succeeded to the titles of 7th Earl of Aberdeen, 7th Viscount of Formartine, 4th Viscount Gordon, and 7th Lord Haddo, Methlic, Tarves, and Kellie in January 1870.

Aberdeen entered the House of Lords upon inheriting his titles and was affiliated with the Liberal Party. He took part in William Ewart Gladstone's first Midlothian campaign in 1879. He was appointed Lord Lieutenant of Aberdeenshire in 1880 and served as Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland from 1881 to 1885, and again in 1915. In 1886, he briefly served as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland and was appointed to the Privy Council of the United Kingdom.

In 1884, Aberdeen hosted a dinner at Haddo House to honor William Gladstone during his Scottish tour. A painting of this event by Alfred Edward Emslie is housed in the National Portrait Gallery, London. Aberdeen was appointed Honorary Colonel of the 1st Aberdeenshire Artillery Volunteers in 1888, a position he maintained through its successor units until after World War I.

In 1891, Aberdeen purchased Coldstream Ranch in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia, establishing early commercial orchard operations that contributed to the development of the region's orchard industry. The area, including Aberdeen Lake and Haddo Creek, bears his family name.

Aberdeen served as Governor General of Canada from 1893 to 1898, during which time he traveled extensively and is noted for transforming the role into a symbol representing Canadian citizens' interests. He was appointed Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George in 1895.

He was again appointed Lord Lieutenant of Ireland in 1905 and held this post until 1915. During his later tenure, he also served as Rector of the University of St Andrews from 1913 to 1916. Aberdeen was created a Knight Companion of the Order of the Thistle in 1906 and a Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order in 1911.

In January 1916, he was elevated to the ranks of Earl of Haddo and Marquess of Aberdeen and Temair, with titles encompassing regions in Aberdeen, Meath, and Argyll.

In 1877, Aberdeen married Ishbel Marjoribanks, daughter of Sir Dudley Marjoribanks and Isabella Weir-Hogg. They had five children: George Gordon, who succeeded as 2nd Marquess of Aberdeen and Temair; Lady Marjorie Adeline Gordon; Lady Dorothea Gordon, who died in infancy; Dudley Gladstone Gordon, 3rd Marquess of Aberdeen and Temair; and The Hon. Archibald "Archie" Ian Gordon, who died in a motor accident in 1909.

In later life, Aberdeen resided at the House of Cromar in Tarland, Aberdeenshire, where he died on March 7, 1934. His son, George, succeeded him in the marquessate. The House of Cromar was later renamed Alastrean House and was leased to the RAF Benevolent Fund in 1984.

A collection of his dinner party repartee, titled "Jokes Cracked by Lord Aberdeen," was published in 1929 and later reissued in 2013.

Between 1883 and 1896, Aberdeen was also a stakeholder in the Rocking Chair Ranche located in Collingsworth County, Texas, along with family members.

Numerous geographical locations in Ontario, including Aberdeen Avenue in Toronto, Hamilton, and Sarnia, are named after him. The Aberdeen Pavilion in Ottawa is another notable namesake.

His arms and heraldic insignia are documented in detail, reflecting his peerage titles and family heritage.