Mackenzie, Alexander

(1822-1892)

   Born in Scotland. Emigrated to Kingston, Canada, in 1842; in 1848 started in business at Sarnia as builder and contractor; in 1852 editor of the Lambton Shield, a reform newspaper; member for Lambton in the provincial Parliament 1861-1867; and from 1867 to 1892 a member of the Dominion Parliament. In 1873 became premier and minister of public works, the first liberal premier of the Dominion. In 1878 his government defeated by the Conservative party. Leader of the opposition until 1880, when he resigned on account of ill-health, but remained in Parliament for some years, being elected for East York in 1882 and 1887. Declined knighthood three times.

   Index: Mc His letter in reference to George Brown, 496. Md Leader of opposition in succession to George Brown, 150; Supreme Court organized under his administration, 1875, 151; moves an amendment to the address, 208; called upon to form a ministry, 1873, 211; pessimistic over the Canadian Pacific Railway scheme, 234, 235; replaced in leadership by Edward Blake, 235, 261. E Premier of Liberal government under which simultaneous voting was required by law, 133. B Signs requisition to George Brown to stand for Kent, 61; votes against proposal that three members of opposition should enter the government, 157; opposes Reformers taking seats in coalition ministry, but holds that they should give Confederation an outside support, 199, 204; on George Brown's character, 243; on Brown's relations with the parliamentary leaders after retirement, 247-248; on Brown's last days, 257; character of his speeches, 259. D His connection with the Canadian Pacific Railway negotiations, 321. T His Cabinet, 90; opposes coalition idea, 128; his ministry resigns, 136.

   Bib.: Works: Speeches in Scotland and Canada; Life and Speeches of George Brown. For biog., see Buckingham and Ross, Life of Alexander Mackenzie; Dent, Can. Por. and Last Forty Years; Leggo, History of the Administration of the Earl of Dufferin in Canada; Stewart, Canada under the Administration of the Earl of Dufferin.