Born on January 28, 1822, near Dunkeld,
Scotland
Died on April 17, 1892, Toronto, Ontario
Buried at Lakeview Cemetery, Sarnia, Ontario
© Heritage Recording Services |
An immigrant from Scotland who left school at thirteen, Alexander
Mackenzie prospered as a stonemason and contractor in Sarnia,
Ontario. A lifelong reformer, he believed thrift, hard work, and
plain speaking were the keys to success, in politics and in life.
When the Pacific Scandal brought down John A. Macdonald's Con-
servative government in 1873, Mackenzie formed Canada's first
Liberal cabinet. His party won the general election that followed
and he held the office of prime minister until 1878.
© NAC, PA-26308 |
A tireless worker, Mackenzie strove to reform and simplify the
machinery of government. He introduced the secret ballot, created
the Supreme Court of Canada, and struggled with the challenges
of the national railway. In the 1878 election, his party lost
to Macdonald's resurgent Conservatives and their National Policy
of tariff protection. Mackenzie soon resigned as leader of the
opposition. True to his humble, hard-working ways, he declined
all offers of a knighthood.
Alexander Mackenzie held his seat in the House of Commons until
his death. He died in Toronto in 1892 and was buried in Sarnia.
Address of cemetery: 1016 Colborne Road, Sarnia, ON
Location map
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