Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Alexander Mackenzie (politician)

Role / Field:

Scottish-Canadian stonemason and politician, second Prime Minister of Canada.

Born:

1822-01-28

Died:

1892-04-17

Century / Era:

1822s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Early Life

Alexander Mackenzie (January 28, 1822 – April 17, 1892) was a Scottish-Canadian stonemason and politician who served as the second prime minister of Canada from 1873 to 1878. He led the Liberal Party from 1873 to 1880 and was the first Liberal prime minister. He was also a member of Parliament (MP) from 1867 to 1892. Mackenzie was born in Logierait, Perthshire, Scotland.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

He left school at the age of 13, following his father's death, to help his widowed mother, and trained as a stonemason. Mackenzie immigrated to the Province of Canada when he was 19, settling in what became Ontario. His masonry business prospered, allowing him to pursue other interests – such as the editorship of a pro-Reformist newspaper called the Lambton Shield. Mackenzie was elected to the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada in 1862, as a supporter of George Brown. In 1867, Mackenzie was elected to the new House of Commons of Canada for the Liberal Party.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

He became leader of the party (and thus leader of the Opposition) in mid-1873, and a few months later, following John A. Macdonald's resignation in the aftermath of the Pacific Scandal, he succeeded Macdonald as prime minister. Mackenzie and the Liberals...

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Frequently Asked Questions about Alexander Mackenzie (politician)