Laurier, Sir Wilfrid

(1841- )

   Born at St. Lin, Quebec. Studied law at McGill University, and called to the bar, 1864. Entered public life in 1871 as member for Drummond and Arthabaska in the Quebec Assembly; three years later returned to the House of Commons for the same constituency. Entered the Mackenzie Cabinet, 1877, as minister of inland revenue. In 1887 leader of the opposition; and in 1896, upon the defeat of the Tupper government, called upon to form an administration, himself taking the office of president of the Council. Received the honour of G. C. M. G. in 1897, and the same year called to the Imperial Privy Council.

   Index: Mc Justifies Upper Canada Rebellion, 30, 31. Md His administration repeals Franchise Act of 1885, 260; succeeds Blake as leader of Liberal party, 1887, 261, 263; lukewarm towards policy of commercial union, 296; his reply to Macdonald's appeal to the electorate, 1891, 311; finally disposes of unrestricted reciprocity, 317; his speech in Parliament on death of Macdonald, 326-329. C On the Quebec radicals, 27-28; one of the founders of Le Parti National and its organ Le National, 30; on Cartier, 116-117.

   Bib.: Discours sur le libéralisme politique; Barthe, Discours de Laurier, depuis 1871 à 1890. For biog., see Willison, Sir Wilfrid Laurier and the Liberal Party; Fréchette, Wilfrid Laurier; Moreau, Sir Wilfrid Laurier; David, Laurier et son Temps; Morgan, Can. Men; Dent, Can. Por.

   [Illustration: Sir Wilfrid Laurier]