Susan Buchan, Baroness Tweedsmuir
Canadian viceregal consort and writer
About Susan Buchan, Baroness Tweedsmuir
Lived 1882 – 1977 (aged 94). Susan Buchan, Baroness Tweedsmuir was a British novelist, biographer, autobiographer and writer.
Susan Charlotte Buchan, Baroness Tweedsmuir (née Grosvenor; 20 April 1882 – 22 March 1977) was a British writer and the wife of author John Buchan. Between 1935 and 1940 she was viceregal consort of Canada while her husband was the governor general. She was also the author of several novels, children's books, and biographies, some of which were published under the name Susan Tweedsmuir.
Life Susan was born in Mayfair, London. She was a daughter of Norman de L'Aigle Grosvenor (son of the first Lord Ebury) and his wife Caroline Susan Theodora Stuart-Wortley (a granddaughter of the first Lord Wharncliffe), and a cousin of the Dukes of Westminster. She married John Buchan on 15 July 1907, and became the Baroness Tweedsmuir (known as Lady Tweedsmuir) when he was created Baron Tweedsmuir in 1935. The Buchans had four children, Alice, John, William, and Alastair, two of whom spent most of their lives in Canada.
Her time as Vicereine of Canada is remembered for her energetic relief work. Her library project of gathering books in Eastern Canada for impoverished western communities and sending train carloads of them west was the foundation for many public libraries across the prairies.
Her interest in literary education influenced the establishment of the Governor General's Awards, for many years Canada's primary literary awards, and the library at Rideau Hall. Following her husband's death she returned to Britain, where she wrote several more novels, a series of memoirs, and a biography of her husband.
She died at Burford, near Oxford, on 22 March 1977 aged 94 and was buried beside her husband in the churchyard at Elsfield.
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Frequently asked questions
Who was Susan Buchan, Baroness Tweedsmuir?
Canadian viceregal consort and writer (1882–1977)
When was Susan Buchan, Baroness Tweedsmuir born?
Susan Buchan, Baroness Tweedsmuir was born on 20 April 1882 in Mayfair.
When did Susan Buchan, Baroness Tweedsmuir die?
Susan Buchan, Baroness Tweedsmuir died on 22 March 1977 in Burford.
What was Susan Buchan, Baroness Tweedsmuir's occupation?
Susan Buchan, Baroness Tweedsmuir was a novelist, biographer, autobiographer and writer.
What nationality was Susan Buchan, Baroness Tweedsmuir?
Susan Buchan, Baroness Tweedsmuir was British.
Sources & further reading
· Wikipedia: Susan Buchan, Baroness Tweedsmuir
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Susan Buchan, Baroness Tweedsmuir. https://biography.guide/susan-buchan-baroness-tweedsmuir/
MLA: "Susan Buchan, Baroness Tweedsmuir." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/susan-buchan-baroness-tweedsmuir/.
Chicago: "Susan Buchan, Baroness Tweedsmuir." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/susan-buchan-baroness-tweedsmuir/.
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