Frederick Hamilton-Temple-Blackwood, 1st Marquess of Dufferin and Ava KP GCB GCSI GCMG GCIE PC (21 June 1826 – 12 February 1902) is a British public servant and prominent member of Victorian society.
In his youth he is a popular figure in the court of Queen Victoria, and becomes well known to the public after publishing a best-selling account of his travels in the North Atlantic.
He is now best known as one of the most successful diplomats of his time.
His long career in public service begins as a commissioner to Syria in 1860, where his skillful diplomacy maintains British interests while preventing France from instituting a client state in Lebanon.
After his success in Syria, Dufferin serves in the Government of the United Kingdom as the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Under-Secretary of State for War.
In 1872 he becomes the third Governor General of Canada, bolstering imperial ties in the early years of the Dominion, and in 1884 he reaches the pinnacle of his diplomatic career as eighth Viceroy of India.
Following his retirement from the diplomatic service in 1896, his final years are marred by personal tragedy and a misguided attempt to secure his family's financial position.
His eldest son is killed in the Second Boer War and another son badly wounded.
He is chairman of a mining firm that goes bankrupt after swindling people, although he had been ignorant of the matter.
He is an effective leader in Lebanon, Canada and India, averts war with Russia, and annexes Burma.
He is careless of money but charming and gay in high society in three continents.
