The University College of the Fraser Valley is inviting the public to connect with history on Oct. 16 when it welcomes the Earl of Elgin and Kincardine, a direct descendant of Scotland 's King Robert the Bruce and great grandson of the 8th Earl of Elgin, the governor general of Canada from 1847-54 who granted self-government to the colony.  

The present Lord Elgin -  whose given name is Andrew Douglas Alexander Thomas Bruce - lives in Scotland and succeeded to the title in1968. A wonderful speaker and repository of family stories, Lord Elgin will be at the Abbotsford UCFV campus on Thursday, Oct. 16 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in room A225/229.  

Barbara Messamore (PhD, Edinburgh), of the UCFV History department, will introduce Lord Elgin, highlighting the pivotal role played by the 8th Earl in Canada 's constitutional development.  

Her address will be followed by a brief speech by David Milobar (PhD, University of London ) on the Elgin family's important connections to India . The 8th Earl served as viceroy of India from 1862 until his death at Dharmsala in 1863. The 9th Earl in turn served as viceroy of India from 1894 to 1899, and was later Secretary of State for the Colonies.  

Lord Elgin, the 11th Earl of Elgin, 15th Earl of Kincardine and the present chief of the clan of Bruce, will then deliver his talk. A reception will follow.  

For more information, please contact the department of history at 604-557-4035 or historyinfo@ucfv.ca