Mackenzie, Alexander

From Encyclopediak

Mackenzie, Ma ken ze, Alexander 1822-1892, a Canadian statesman, born in Perthshire, Scotland. He moved to Kingston, Canada, when he was 20 years of age. He was a stone mason and began in Canada as a builder and contractor, continuing in this business until he became a member of the Parliament of Ontario in 1861. Nine years before this, however, he began editing a Liberal newspaper. He entered the Dominion Parliament in 1867 and became a Liberal leader. From 1873 to 1878 he was premier, and he was a member of Parliament until his death. He declined the honor of knighthood three times. Makenzie was a gifted orator and a wise statesman whose influence is still felt.