Frederick Temple Blackwood, Marquess of Dufferin and Ava

Frederick Temple Blackwood, Marquess of Dufferin and Ava Credit: Library and Archives Canada, accession number C‑001285

In 1975 the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada (HSMBC) designated Frederick Temple Blackwood (1826–1902), Marquess of Dufferin and Ava, a person of national historic significance as a former Governor General of Canada (1872–78).

A member of the Irish nobility, Blackwood had a remarkable diplomatic career in the service of the British Empire. He held many posts, including that of Ambassador to Russia (1879–71), Viceroy of India (1884–88), and Ambassador to Italy and France (1891–96). Named third Governor General of Canada, Lord Dufferin arrived in Québec City in 1872 and sought to reconcile the young country’s national pride with the imperial connection.
                   
He is known particularly for his role in saving the fortifications of Québec City, left unused and neglected after the departure of British troops in 1871. In 1876 Lord Dufferin presented a plan for restoring the glory of the city’s military past. Aside from preserving the walls, the plan included building the Saint-Louis and Kent gates (a project carried out in 1878), and constructing Dufferin Terrace, designed by Charles Baillairgé and completed in 1879.

His plan gave rise to Canada’s first heritage development site in Québec City, commemorating in one place the legacy of France and England, and making the city a global showcase for the grandeur of British civilization in America. Since then, the fortifications of Québec City, given HSMBC designation, have been a heritage jewel under the responsibility of the federal government. It was largely because they had been saved that Québec City was included on UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 1985, and Lord Dufferin deserves a share of the credit for this recognition.