Gilbert John Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound 4th earl of Minto

Gilbert John Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound Minto, 4th earl of , 1845-1914, British colonial administrator. He entered the army in 1867, eventually becoming (1884) military secretary to Lord Lansdowne, governor-general of Canada. As a popular governor-general himself (1898-1904) Minto maintained cordial relations with the Canadian prime minister, Sir Wilfrid Laurier . He then served (1905-10) as viceroy of India. He worked with John Morley to produce the Morley-Minto reforms (1909), which increased native membership on the advisory legislative councils of the viceroy and began India's advance to self-rule.

Bibliography: See study by S. R. Wasti (1964).

Minto, Gilbert John Elliot‐Murray‐Kynynmound, 4th Earl (1845–1914). Minto was educated at Eton and Cambridge and joined the Scots Guards in 1867. A Liberal, he was appointed governor‐general of Canada 1898–1904, and in 1905 became Viceroy of India. His period in office was distinguished by his work with Secretary of State John Morley to pass constitutional reforms which introduced the principles of elected representation to the government of India. The Morley–Minto reforms are also remembered for introducing separate Hindu and Muslim ‘communal’ electorates. He retired in 1910.