William Lyon Mackenzie King

:Not to be confused with William Lyon Mackenzie, Mackenzie King's grandfather.

Early life

King was born in Berlin, Ontario (now Kitchener). A grandson of William Lyon Mackenzie, leader of the Upper Canada Rebellion in 1837, King held five university degrees. He obtained three from the University of Toronto: B.A. 1895, LL.B. 1896, and M.A. 1897. After studying at the University of Chicago, Mackenzie King proceeded to Harvard University, receiving an M.A. in political economy 1898 and a Ph.D. 1909.

Related Topics:
Ontario - Kitchener - William Lyon Mackenzie - Upper Canada Rebellion - 1837 - University - University of Toronto - 1895 - 1896 - 1897 - University of Chicago - Harvard University - 1898 - 1909

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He was first elected to Parliament as a Liberal in a 1908 by-election, and was re-elected in a 1909 by-election following his appointment as Canada's first Minister of Labour. He lost his seat in the 1911 general election, which saw the Conservatives defeat his Liberals.

Related Topics:
Parliament - Liberal - By-election - Minister of Labour - 1911 general election - Conservatives

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Following his defeat, he went to the United States to work for the Rockefeller family, assisting them in labour relations. He returned to Canada to run in the 1917 election, which focused almost entirely on the conscription issue, and lost again, due to his opposition to conscription, which was supported by the majority of English Canadians.

Related Topics:
United States - Rockefeller family - 1917 election - Conscription

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In 1919, he was elected leader at the first Liberal leadership convention, and soon returned to parliament in a by-election. King remained leader until 1948. In the 1921 election, his party defeated Arthur Meighen and the Conservatives, and he became Prime Minister.

Related Topics:
1919 - Liberal leadership convention - By-election - 1921 election - Arthur Meighen - Conservatives - Prime Minister

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