Alexander Mackenzie

[ 23 ] October 24, 2009 |

Prime Minister of Canada Alexander Mackenzie
(Featured August 2003)

Alexander Mackenzie was the second Prime Minister and the first Liberal Prime Minister of Canada. (Not to be confused with the Canadian explorer Sir Alexander Mackenzie 1764-1820)

He was born in Scotland where he was a trained stonemason. He left Scotland in 1842 when he followed his sweetheart and her family to Canada. Over the next three years he courted Helen Neil. He married her in 1845 and they had one child.

His political career actually began with the Reform Party which eventually became the Liberal party. Aside from forming the first Liberal administration of the Dominion of Canada, his government is also responsible for establishing the Secret Ballot in 1874, founding the Royal Military College, creating the Supreme Court and the Office of the Auditor General.

His mark can continue to be seen in the buildings he helped erect working as a stonemason. Some of which include: the Welland Canal, Martello Towers at Fort Henry, Episcopal Church and a bank in Sarnia and the Courthouses and jails in Chatham and Sandwich.

Political Career Timeline:

* 1852: Editor of the Lambton Shield, a Reform newspaper
* 1861: Elected to the Provincial Assembly
* 1866 – 1874 Major, 27th Lambton Volunteer Infantry
* 1867 – 1882 Elected to the Federal Assembly, constituency Lambton, Ontario
* 1871-72: MLA Ontario Assembly
* 1873: Became leader of the Liberal Party (originally called Reform)
* 1873 – 1878 Public Works Minister
* 1874: Became Prime Minister when a scandal forced the previous Conservative government to resign. The elections that followed put Mackenzie in power.
* 1878: Lost election
* 1878-1880 Leader of the Opposition
* 1880: Gave up Liberal Leadership remained in parliament until his death
* 1882 – 1892 Constituency: York East, Ontario

Related posts:

  1. Canuck Quotes: Alexander Mackenzie
  2. Jean Chrétien
  3. Canuck Quotes: Sir Alexander Mackenzie
  4. Sir Alexander Mackenzie
  5. Trivia Eh? Sir Alexander Mackenzie

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Category: Historical Figures, Patriotic Patter

About the Author ()

I'm a Canadian who has lived in the United States since 1999. I love the beauty of the Canadian landscape and dream about travelling to EVERY country in the world so I can say, without a doubt, that Canada is the MOST BEAUTIFUL country in the world. Until I can accomplish this feat of huge financial proportions, I'll continue to appease myself by writing about Canada's many, MANY virtues. Google+ Follow this blog on Twitter @CanadaConnect and you'll find me interacting as @Cletch.
  • Fit2009

    you spelled scandal wrong

  • http://www.RealHomeSense.com cletch

    Thanks! Feel free to proof anything for me! :)

  • Sslvsbs

    You helped me on my progect thanks

  • Drblizzy

    He didnt have 1 child. he had 3 but 2 of them died by infancy.

  • http://www.RealHomeSense.com cletch
  • Melanie

    haha same here i had to do this for a project ,but ya thanks
    well also i learned a little bit about Alexandre Mackenzie:)

  • Maxine Dundas

    For anybody wanting to know more about his life in-depth ( and his childhood in Scotland ) try this e-book:

    http://www.archive.org/stream/cihm_03821/cihm_03821_djvu.txt

    It explains all about his family life and political aspirations. Coincidentally, his brother, Hope Fleming Mackenzie ( who also dallied in Canadian politics ) was originally married to my great-great-great grandmother’s sister, Vere. She died two years after marriage and migration to Canada and he went on to marry somebody else, who is always mentioned in the textbooks but poor Vere isn’t. So, for once, I would like to give poor Vere the opportunity to shine!! :-)

    It is a very quaint little book, well worth dipping into.

    Regards

    Maxine Dundas

  • Fernandoopk

    ty for the help

  • Rachel

    I NEED MORE INFORMATION THAN THAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • http://www.RealHomeSense.com cletch

    What kind of “more” information do you need?

  • Erykahver

    his full name,the country he is from,date of birth and death,where he was born,lived and died,information about becoming an explorer and what is he famous for(main accompplishments)

  • http://www.RealHomeSense.com cletch

    His main accomplishments could include he was the first Liberal Prime Minister, the secret ballot was created under his leadership.
     
    It says he is from Scotland… but you’ll find more specific details here: http://www.canadianaconnection.com/2009/10/trivia-eh-alexander-mackenzie/
    The rest of the info, I would have to research and may not have time before your paper is due  ;-)   So if you find the answers first come back and share them here.  Good luck!
      
    Oh wait… your comments mention explorer…. this is not the same Alexander Mackenzie.  Note the information above specifically says:  (Not to be confused with the Canadian explorer Sir Alexander Mackenzie 1764-1820)  Did you actually read the page before posting your comment?  ;-)  

  • Soccer281970

    i need more information

  • Mackenzie

    I need MORE INFORMATION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Blaaaaa

    this is ver bad i need MORE STUFF 

  • Dhawkj

    Need more aboout his second wife but overall wasn’t that bad :)

  • Atldsau

    same like about his second wife.

  • Hth

    non yoummm

  • Jonathan Hampton

    he is a fucking faget

  • Mike

    it appears you are hiding your deep seeded desire for the male genitalia…

  • guest

    This Alexander Mackenzie wasn’t an explorer. He was Canada’s second prime minister

  • Matias

    Need More Information about his ACCOMPLISHMENTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Alessandro Aviles-Molina

    Your old

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