John A. Macdonald

1st prime minister of Canada from 1867 to 1873 and 1878 to 1891

Sir John Alexander Macdonald GCB PC QC (January 11, 1815 – June 6, 1891) was the first Prime Minister of Canada. He was an important influence on the Canadian Confederation, July 1, 1867. Macdonald was in office from 1867 to 1873 and again from 1878 to 1891, making him the second longest-serving Prime Minister of Canada (after William Lyon Mackenzie King) and the only one to win six majority governments.


Sir John A. Macdonald

1st Prime Minister of Canada
In office
1 July 1867 – 5 November 1873
MonarchVictoria
Governor GeneralThe Viscount Monck
The Lord Lisgar
The Earl of Dufferin
Preceded byOffice established
(see Canadian Confederation)
Succeeded byAlexander Mackenzie
In office
17 October 1878 – 6 June 1891
MonarchVictoria
Governor GeneralThe Earl of Dufferin
Marquess of Lorne
The Marquess of Lansdowne
The Lord Stanley of Preston
Preceded byAlexander Mackenzie
Succeeded byJohn Abbott
Joint-Premier of the Province of Canada
Premier of Canada West
In office
24 May 1856 – 2 August 1858
MonarchVictoria
Preceded byAllan MacNab
Succeeded byGeorge Brown
In office
6 August 1858 – 24 May 1862
MonarchVictoria
Preceded byGeorge Brown
Succeeded byJohn Sandfield Macdonald
In office
30 May 1864 – 30 June 1867
MonarchVictoria
Preceded byJohn Sandfield Macdonald
Succeeded byJohn Sandfield Macdonald
(as Premier of Ontario)
Personal details
Born
John Alexander Mcdonald

10 or 11 January 1815
Glasgow, Scotland
Died6 June 1891(1891-06-06) (aged 76)
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Cause of deathStroke
Resting placeCataraqui Cemetery
Political partyConservative
Other political
affiliations
Upper Canada Tory (1843–1867)
Great Coalition (1864–1867)
Liberal-Conservative (1867–1873)
Spouse(s)
(m. 1843; died 1857)

(m. 1867)
Children3 (including Hugh John Macdonald)
EducationApprenticeship
ProfessionLawyer
Signature
Military service
Nickname(s)"Old Tomorrow"
"The Old Chieftain"
AllegianceBritish Empire
Upper Canada
Branch/serviceLoyalist militia
Years of service1837
RankPrivate
Battles/warsRebellions of 1837–1838



Leadership offices held

Parliamentary offices held
  • Member of the Parliament of the Province of Canada (1843–1867)
  • Member of the Parliament of Canada for Kingston (1867–1878, 1887–1891)
  • Member of the Canadian Parliament for Marquette (1878)
  • Member of the Canadian Parliament for Victoria (1878–1882)
  • Member of the Canadian Parliament for Lennox (1882)
  • Member of the Canadian Parliament for Carleton (1882–1887)

One of the things Macdonald wanted to do was to build a transcontinental railway that would link Canada from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. That railway, called the Canadian Pacific Railway, was completed in 1885.

Macdonald did not speak French as well as the Prime Ministers who came after him. He could speak Scottish Gaelic and a bit of Latin.

Macdonald had four siblings. He was the third of five children.

Other websites

change
Political offices
Preceded by
Sir Allan Napier MacNab
Joint Premiers of the Province of Canada - Canada West
1856 – 1858
Succeeded by
George Brown
Preceded by
George Brown
Joint Premiers of the Province of Canada - Canada West
1858 – 1867
Succeeded by
himself as Prime Minister of Canada and Sir John Sandfield Macdonald as Premier of Ontario
Preceded by
None
Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada
1867 – 1891
Succeeded by
Sir John J.C. Abbott
Preceded by
None
Prime Minister of Canada
1867 – 1873
Succeeded by
Alexander Mackenzie
Preceded by
none
Minister of Justice and Attorney General
1867 – 1873
Succeeded by
Antoine Dorion
Preceded by
Alexander Mackenzie
Leader of the Opposition
1873 – 1878
Succeeded by
Alexander Mackenzie
Preceded by
Alexander Mackenzie
Prime Minister of Canada
1878 – 1891
Succeeded by
Sir John J.C. Abbott
Preceded by
David Mills
Minister of the Interior
1878 – 1888
Succeeded by
Edgar Dewdney
Preceded by
John Henry Pope
Minister of Railways and Canals
1889 – 1891
Succeeded by
Mackenzie Bowell (acting)
Parliament of Canada
Preceded by
none
Member of Parliament for Kingston
1867 – 1878
Succeeded by
Alexander Gunn
Preceded by
Francis James Roscoe
Member of Parliament for Victoria
1878 – 1882
Succeeded by
E.C. Baker
Preceded by
John Rochester
Member of Parliament for Carleton
1882 – 1887
Succeeded by
George Dickinson
Preceded by
Alexander Gunn
Member of Parliament for Kingston
1887 – 1891
Succeeded by
James H. Metcalfe