William Lyon Mackenzie King

The Right Honourable William Lyon Mackenzie King (December 17, 1874 - July 22, 1950) was the tenth Prime Minister of Canada from December 29, 1921 to June 28, 1926 September 25, 1926 to August 7, 1930, and October 23, 1935 to November 15, 1948. He had the longest combined time in the Prime Minister position in British Commonwealth history.

He was born in Kitchener (formerly Berlin), Ontario.

Mackenzie 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, receiving an M.A. Political Economy degree 1898 and a Ph.D. 1909.

He led the Liberal Party from 1919-1948 and was the longest serving Prime Minister of Canada. Mackenzie King was a cautious politician who tailored his policies to prevailing opinions. "Parliament will decide," he liked to say when pressed to act. King guided Canada through the World War II and he introduced social programs such as unemployment insurance and family allowances.

Privately, he was highly eccentric with his preference for consulting the spirit of his dead mother and his dog for political advice. He never married, but had a close female friend, a married woman, with whom he spent much of his leisure time. His country retreat at Kingsmere[?] in Gatineau Park[?], Ottawa, is open to the public.

Mackenzie King died on July 22, 1950 at his home near Ottawa. He is buried in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Toronto, Ontario.

Mackenzie King is pictured on the Canadian fifty-dollar bill.

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