Gilbert John Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound, 4th Earl of Minto, KG, GCSI, GCMG, GCIE, PC (/kɪˈnɪnmənd/;[1] 9 July 1845 – 1 March 1914), known as Viscount Melgund by courtesy from 1859 to 1891, was a British peer and politician who served as Governor General of Canada from 1898 to 1904, and Viceroy of India from 1905 to 1910.

[3] He acted as private secretary to Lord Roberts during his mission to the Cape in 1881,[3] and was with the army occupying Egypt in 1882, thus furthering his military career and his experience of colonial administration.

On his departure home to Britain, Canadian Prime Minister Sir John A. Macdonald apparently said to him, "I shall not live to see it, but some day Canada will welcome you back as Governor General".

Macdonald's prediction came true when Minto was named Governor General of Canada in the summer of 1898, having campaigned for the post after he learned of the retirement of Lord Aberdeen.

[3][4] Sir Wilfrid Laurier wrote that Lord Minto "took his duties to heart" and a review of his life reveals an energetic man who welcomed many challenges and responsibilities.

Lord Minto's term of office was marked by a period of strong nationalism which saw economic growth coupled with massive immigration to Canada.

Following the tour, Minto recommended Thomas Shaughnessy, President of the Canadian Pacific Railway, to the government at Westminster, via the Secretary of State for the Colonies, for a knighthood, as recognition for his service to the Duke and Duchess of York.

[5] On 6 December 1901, Lord Minto held a skating party on the Ottawa River, when Andrew George Blair's daughter Bessie, and potential rescuer Henry Albert Harper both drowned.

Lord Minto, like his predecessors, travelled throughout the young country—he crossed Quebec, Ontario and western Canada, visiting former battlegrounds where he had served during the North-West Rebellion.

He believed that Canada's progress depended on the cultivation of patriotism and unity, and this conviction was reflected in his desire to see a wider history curriculum developed in Canadian schools.

In 1905, following the resignation of Lord Curzon of Kedleston, Gilbert Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound, 4th Earl of Minto, was appointed Viceroy and Governor-General of India.

The reforms aimed to introduce a limited form of self-governance by expanding the legislative councils and allowing for greater Indian representation.

The Morley-Minto Reforms laid the groundwork for future constitutional developments in India, representing a step towards greater Indian participation in governance, although they were also criticized for being too limited.