Mackenzie, ALEXANDER

Mackenzie, ALEXANDER, Canadian statesman, was born in Logierait, Perthshire, 28th January 1822, removed to Canada in 1842, and worked for some time as a mason, subsequently becoming a builder and contractor. In 1852 he became editor of a Reform newspaper. He represented Lambton in parliament from 1861 to 1867, and in the Dominion parliament till 1882; he was then elected for East York, and was re-elected in 1887. From 1867 he led the Reform opposition in parliament, and in 1873-80 was leader of the Liberal party in Canada. In 1873 he succeeded Macdonald, becoming the first Liberal premier, and remained at the head of the government till 1878. He thrice declined a knighthood, wrote the Life of his friend and ally, the Hon. George Brown (1882), and died 17th April 1892.