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William Lyon Mackenzie King: A Prime Minister for All Seasons

Gabriel Hayes

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Published in William Lyon Mackenzie King: Dreams And Shadows (Quest Biography 11)

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William Lyon Mackenzie King was a Canadian politician who served as the tenth Prime Minister of Canada from 1921 to 1926, 1926 to 1930, and 1935 to 1948. He is the longest-serving Prime Minister in Canadian history, and one of the most influential figures in Canadian politics.

William Lyon Mackenzie King: Dreams and Shadows (Quest Biography 11)

William Lyon Mackenzie King: Dreams and Shadows (Quest Biography Book 11)

by William A. Link

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2189 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
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Print length	:	182 pages

King was born in Berlin, Ontario, on December 17, 1874. His father, John King, was a lawyer and politician who served as the first mayor of Berlin. His mother, Isabella Grace Mackenzie, was the daughter of William Lyon Mackenzie, a Scottish-born journalist and politician who led the Upper Canada Rebellion of 1837.

King attended the University of Toronto, where he studied political science and economics. After graduating, he worked as a journalist and editor for several newspapers in Toronto.

In 1900, King was elected to the House of Commons of Canada as a member of the Liberal Party. He served in various cabinet positions under Prime Ministers Sir Wilfrid Laurier and Robert Borden.

In 1919, King was elected leader of the Liberal Party. He led the party to victory in the 1921 federal election, and became Prime Minister.

As Prime Minister, King faced many challenges, including the Great Depression and the Second World War. He also played a major role in the development of the Canadian welfare state and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

King retired from politics in 1948. He died in Ottawa, Ontario, on July 22, 1950.

Legacy

King is widely regarded as one of the most important figures in Canadian history. He was a skilled politician and diplomat who played a major role in shaping Canada's political and social development.

King's legacy is complex and multifaceted. He was a strong advocate for Canadian autonomy and independence, and he played a key role in Canada's transition from a colony to a fully independent nation.

King was also a social reformer who introduced a number of important social programs, including old age pensions and unemployment insurance.

However, King's legacy is also tarnished by his handling of the Japanese-Canadian internment camps during the Second World War.

Despite his flaws, King remains one of the most significant figures in Canadian history. He was a complex and contradictory man who played a major role in shaping the country we live in today.