Alexander Hore-Ruthven, 1st Earl of Gowrie

Brigadier General The Right Honourable The Earl of Gowrie VC, GCMG, CB, DSO & Bar, KStJ, PC
10th Governor-General of Australia
In office 23 January 1936 – 30 January 1945
Monarchs	Edward VIII George VI
Prime Minister	Joseph Lyons Sir Earle Page Robert Menzies Arthur Fadden John Curtin
Preceded by	Sir Isaac Isaacs
Succeeded by	The Duke of Gloucester
27th Governor of New South Wales
In office 15 January 1935 – 23 January 1936
Monarchs	George V Edward VIII
Premier	Bertram Stevens
Lieutenant	Sir Philip Street
Preceded by	Sir Philip Game
Succeeded by	Sir David Anderson
20th Governor of South Australia
In office 14 May 1928 – 26 April 1934
Monarch	George V
Premier	Richard Butler Lionel Hill Robert Richards Richard Butler
Preceded by	Sir George Bridges
Succeeded by	Sir Winston Joseph Dugan
Personal details
Born	Alexander Gore Arkwright Hore-Ruthven (1872-07-06)6 July 1872 Windsor, Berkshire
Died	2 May 1955(1955-05-02) (aged 82) Shipton Moyne, Gloucestershire
Spouse	Zara Pollok
Children	2, including Patrick
Military service
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Branch/service	British Army
Years of service	1889–1928
Rank	Brigadier General
Battles/wars	Mahdist War Somaliland campaign First World War Gallipoli campaign Western Front
Awards	Victoria Cross Companion of the Order of the Bath Distinguished Service Order & Bar Mentioned in Despatches (7)

Brigadier General Alexander Gore Arkwright Hore-Ruthven, 1st Earl of Gowrie, VC, GCMG, CB, DSO & Bar, KStJ, PC (/ˈhɔːr ˈrɪvɛn/; 6 July 1872 – 2 May 1955) was a British Army officer who served as the 10th Governor-General of Australia, in office from 1936 to 1945. He was previously Governor of South Australia (1928–1934) and Governor of New South Wales (1935–1936).

Gowrie was born in Windsor, Berkshire, England, into a minor aristocratic family. He joined a voluntary Yeomanry unit at the age of 17, and then enlisted in the regular army at the age of 19. Gowrie fought in the Sudan during the Mahdist Revolt, and was awarded the Victoria Cross for saving a wounded Egyptian soldier. He later served in the Somaliland campaign and as an aide-de-camp to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. During the First World War, Gowrie commanded units in the Gallipoli campaign and on the Western Front, winning several further honours. He finished his military career with the rank of brigadier-general.

In 1928, Gowrie was appointed Governor of South Australia. His handling of political instability during the Great Depression was highly regarded, and when his term expired he was appointed Governor of New South Wales. However, Gowrie's second governorship lasted little more than a year, as Joseph Lyons recommended him to become Governor-General. As well as the stresses of the Second World War, he faced several constitutional challenges, including Lyons' death in office and the defeat of Arthur Fadden's government on a confidence motion. Gowrie's term in office was prolonged as a result of war, and in total he spent nine years in the position, the longest of any governor-general.