Alexander Mackenzie: Biography, Facts and Career

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. 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. 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 won a majority government in the 1874 federal election. He was popular among the general public for his humble background and consistent democratic principles. As prime minister, Mackenzie continued the nation-building program which began under his predecessor. His government established the Supreme Court of Canada and Royal Military College of Canada, and created the District of Keewatin to better administer Canada's newly acquired western territories. In 1876, his government enacted the Indian Act. It made limited progress on the transcontinental railway and struggled to deal with the aftermath of the Panic of 1873. Mackenzie's Liberals were defeated in the 1878 federal election. He remained leader of the Liberal Party for another two years, and continued on as an MP until his death from a stroke.

Quick facts about Alexander Mackenzie

• Full name: Alexander Mackenzie
• Born: 1822-01-28
• Nationality: Canada
• Known as: Author
• Wikidata ID: Q128708

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