Carte de visite Paul Frecker Born Park Lane, London on 20 July 1881, James Bruce Elgin was educated at Eton and Christ Church, Oxford. He succeeded his father as 8th Earl of Elgin on 17 November 1841, and the following year was appointed Governor-general of Jamaica. However, he found the islanders determined to disregard the rights of the recently emancipated slaves and was recalled at his own request. In 1846 he was appointed Governor-General of Canada. He left Canada in 1857 to serve in diplomatic posts in China and Japan, where he negotiated trade agreements with Great Britain. He served as Governor-General of India from 21 January 1862 until his death. He died at Dhurmsala, Kashmir on 20 November 1863. His son, the 9th Earl of Elgin, was later Viceroy of India.
