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After the one-ton canal stone crushed his leg, the young stonemason’s “face looked like death, but not a cry escaped his lips.” Such, according to one biography, was the stoic character of Alexander Mackenzie, the man who was destined to become Canada’s second prime minister and a key builder of both the nation and the capital.
Having left school at age 13 to help support his widowed mother and six brothers, Mackenzie knew poverty, hard work and responsibility. When he arrived in Kingston from Scotland in 1842, his skill was quickly recognized and he soon became a foreman on the construction of Kingston’s Fort Henry fortifications, its Martello Towers, and the Welland and Lachine Canals.
Logierait Scotland, the house where Alexander Mackenzie was born in 1822. The spot is still known as Clais-‘n-deoir “The Hollow of the Weeping” where families said their goodbyes before prisoners were taken to nearby Gallow’s Hill.
He wrote home of the opportunities but added, “This is no country for idlers.” His resolve was quickly tested. In Kingston, he was cheated out of his first summer’s wages; fell through the ice twice while crossing from Wolfe Island to see his fiancée; and avoided death when the boat carrying his work crew capsized, drowning 17 men in what became known as Deadman’s Bay. Personal tragedy struck when his young wife died from excessive doses of mercury-based calomel administered by a drunken doctor to treat a fever.
Cathcart Martello Tower, Deadman’s Bay, Cedar Island, Kingston. Alexander Mackenzie was a foreman on the construction of Kingston’s Martello Towers in the 1840’s. The bay was renamed Deadman’s Bay after the boat carrying his work crew capsized drowning 17 men.
Moving to Sarnia, he built many court houses and jails across Ontario and even made a bid, unsuccessfully, on the construction of the Parliament Buildings. Fortunately for Canada, he was to build the nation in another way.
A voracious reader, Mackenzie was heavily influenced by the liberal thinkers of the time, and soon became a vocal opponent of political and religious entitlement and corruption in government. He was the key organizer who helped George Brown win his first parliamentary seat, then won his own seat in 1861.
As a leading member of the Reform (Liberal) Party, Mackenzie fought passionately for equality, representation by population, and honesty in government. One of the strongest supporters of Confederation, he turned down Sir John A. Macdonald’s offer to replace Brown in the Coalition Cabinet after Brown resigned in 1865. This precluded him from becoming a Father of Confederation, but he was wary of Macdonald’s motives.
Alexander MacKenzie, M.P. Jan. 28, 1822 – Apr. 17, 1892.
After Confederation, Mackenzie sat as the de facto Leader of the Official Opposition. He believed others were far better qualified, but agreed to become the first official leader of the Liberal Party in 1873. When Macdonald was caught accepting bribes for the construction of the Pacific Railway, a concerned U.K. government intervened with the Governor General to ensure a proper investigation took place. It was a critical time in the formative years after Confederation and when Macdonald’s government fell, Mackenzie was asked to form the next government.
It might have been the pinnacle of power, but it was hardly easy going. Mackenzie and his second wife narrowly escaped death when their house, and most of a block on Wellington Street, was destroyed by an early morning fire in 1874. An inquest was ordered, as there was evidence of arson at the back of Mackenzie’s house.
Photos: Alexander Mackenzie, the stonemason Prime Minister
In 1877, while he was prime minister, Mackenzie laid the cornerstone of the First Baptist Church Ottawa, borrowing a proper mason’s trowel to spread the mortar. The silver trowel presented to him was returned to the church by his grandson 70 years later.
Mackenzie laid the cornerstone of the First Baptist Church Ottawa on Elgin Street in 1877.
As concurrent prime minister and minister of Public Works, Mackenzie oversaw the completion of the Parliament Buildings. Detesting patronage, he modified the plans to add a secret staircase behind his office in the West Block – so that he could escape secretly and avoid the hordes of lobbyists and patronage seekers awaiting him.
The secret staircase leading from former prime minister Alexander Mackenzie’s office is seen in the West Block during a tour of the renovations on Parliament Hill.
In addition to an impressive record of reform legislation, Mackenzie promoted free trade and honesty in government tendering, and introduced an apolitical, merit-based public service. He stood up to the U.K. for the rights of Canada as a nation – almost coming to blows with Governor General Lord Dufferin. A number of key institutions were put in place under his watch, including: electoral reform and the secret ballot, the Supreme Court, the Royal Military College, and the Office of the Auditor General. Like the structures he built as a stonemason, these institutions were meant to last.
Unlike many politicians of the day, Mackenzie sought no personal enrichment nor recognition. He turned down three offers of knighthood. Instead, given a hero’s welcome on return trips to his birthplace, he was honoured with numerous “burgess tickets” – privileges granted by Scottish towns – and a tribute by the working men of Dundee.
The rise of someone from a working-class background to the highest position in government was very unusual. But, admired for his honesty and integrity, Mackenzie was propelled by passion, determination and a sense of duty.
With the economy suffering a worldwide depression, his administration fell to Macdonald’s protectionist trade policies in 1878. Exhausted and suffering from a mysterious illness that sapped his strength and took his voice, Mackenzie soon stepped down as Liberal leader, continuing to sit as an undefeated MP until his death in 1892.
Mackenzie, our stonemason prime minister, helped build Canada with a solid foundation that has lasted 150 years and is destined to last 150 more.
Ottawa writer John Morgan is a great-great grandson of Alexander Mackenzie.
What they said about Alexander Mackenzie
On the death of Alexander Mackenzie, tributes poured in. A sample:
“One of the truest and strongest characters to be met within Canadian history. He was of friends the most tender and true.” – Sir Wilfred Laurier
“A man, who although, through failing health and failing voice, he had virtually passed out of public life, yet retained to the last the affectionate veneration of the Canadian people as no other man of the time can be said to have done.” – Westminster Review
“It is one of the very foremost architects of the Canadian nationality that we mourn. In the dark days of ’73 Canadians were in a state of panic, distrusting the stability of their newly-built Dominion; no one can tell what would have happened had not the stalwart form of Alexander Mackenzie lifted itself above the screaming, vociferating and denying mass of politicians, and all Canada felt at once, there was a man who could be trusted.” – Montreal Star
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Having left school at age 13 to help support his widowed mother and six brothers, Mackenzie knew poverty, hard work and responsibility. When he arrived in Kingston from Scotland in 1842, his skill was quickly recognized and he soon became a foreman on the construction of Kingston’s Fort Henry fortifications, its Martello Towers, and the Welland and Lachine Canals.
Logierait Scotland, the house where Alexander Mackenzie was born in 1822. The spot is still known as Clais-‘n-deoir “The Hollow of the Weeping” where families said their goodbyes before prisoners were taken to nearby Gallow’s Hill.
He wrote home of the opportunities but added, “This is no country for idlers.” His resolve was quickly tested. In Kingston, he was cheated out of his first summer’s wages; fell through the ice twice while crossing from Wolfe Island to see his fiancée; and avoided death when the boat carrying his work crew capsized, drowning 17 men in what became known as Deadman’s Bay. Personal tragedy struck when his young wife died from excessive doses of mercury-based calomel administered by a drunken doctor to treat a fever.
Cathcart Martello Tower, Deadman’s Bay, Cedar Island, Kingston. Alexander Mackenzie was a foreman on the construction of Kingston’s Martello Towers in the 1840’s. The bay was renamed Deadman’s Bay after the boat carrying his work crew capsized drowning 17 men.
Moving to Sarnia, he built many court houses and jails across Ontario and even made a bid, unsuccessfully, on the construction of the Parliament Buildings. Fortunately for Canada, he was to build the nation in another way.
A voracious reader, Mackenzie was heavily influenced by the liberal thinkers of the time, and soon became a vocal opponent of political and religious entitlement and corruption in government. He was the key organizer who helped George Brown win his first parliamentary seat, then won his own seat in 1861.
As a leading member of the Reform (Liberal) Party, Mackenzie fought passionately for equality, representation by population, and honesty in government. One of the strongest supporters of Confederation, he turned down Sir John A. Macdonald’s offer to replace Brown in the Coalition Cabinet after Brown resigned in 1865. This precluded him from becoming a Father of Confederation, but he was wary of Macdonald’s motives.
Alexander MacKenzie, M.P. Jan. 28, 1822 – Apr. 17, 1892.
After Confederation, Mackenzie sat as the de facto Leader of the Official Opposition. He believed others were far better qualified, but agreed to become the first official leader of the Liberal Party in 1873. When Macdonald was caught accepting bribes for the construction of the Pacific Railway, a concerned U.K. government intervened with the Governor General to ensure a proper investigation took place. It was a critical time in the formative years after Confederation and when Macdonald’s government fell, Mackenzie was asked to form the next government.
It might have been the pinnacle of power, but it was hardly easy going. Mackenzie and his second wife narrowly escaped death when their house, and most of a block on Wellington Street, was destroyed by an early morning fire in 1874. An inquest was ordered, as there was evidence of arson at the back of Mackenzie’s house.
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Photos: Alexander Mackenzie, the stonemason Prime Minister
Logierait Scotland, the house where Alexander Mackenzie was born in 1822. The spot is still known as Clais-'n-deoir "The Hollow of the Weeping" where families said their goodbyes before prisoners were taken to nearby Gallow's Hill.
Cathcart Martello Tower, Deadman's Bay, Cedar Island, Kingston. Alexander Mackenzie was a foreman on the construction of Kingston's Martello Towers in the 1840's. The bay was renamed Deadman's Bay after the boat carrying his work crew capsized drowning 17 men.
Parliament Hill, West Block with the Mackenzie Tower.
0619 profile mackenzie Mackenzie's statue was placed on Parliament Hill in 1901. It has a shield inscribed "DUTY WAS HIS LAW AND CONSCIENCE HIS RULER". John
The Modern Nero: Alexander Mackenzie Fiddling at the destruction of Canadian Commerce. Bengough/National Archives of Canada C-78
The Pacific Scandal gave Mackenzie his chance to govern. Rehearsing for the 23rd Instant: M-k-zie (Alexander Mackenzie)-"I will fight him upon this theme until my eyelids will no longer wag!"-Hamlet, Act V, Scene 1. John A MacDonald.-"What do you fear?"-Richard III, Act V, Scene Bengough/National Archives of Canada C-78
The secret staircase leading from former prime minister Alexander Mackenzie's office is seen in the West Block during a tour of the renovations on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Thursday September 15, 2016. Adrian Wyld/CP
Mackenzie laid the cornerstone of the First Baptist Church Ottawa on Elgin Street in 1877.
Mackenzie's Cliffside was the last house standing in 1938 as homes were expropriated to make way for the Supreme Court of Canada building.
The house Mackenzie moved to after his house on Wellington Street was destroyed by a massive fire in 1874. Known as Cliffside.
The gravesite of Alexander Mackenzie, Canada's second prime minister, Friday March 10, 2017 in Lakeview Cemetery in Sarnia, Ont. Paul Morden/Postmedia Network
The sandstone monument at Alexander Mackenzie's gravesite Tyler Kula/Postmedia
Alexander MacKenzie, M.P. Jan. 28, 1822 - Apr. 17, 1892. William James Topley/Library and Archives Canada/PA-025303
The Honourable Alexander Mackenzie - Mackenzie refused appointment to the UK Privy Council and hence he does not have the title "Right Honourable". He also declined knighthood three times.
In 1877, while he was prime minister, Mackenzie laid the cornerstone of the First Baptist Church Ottawa, borrowing a proper mason’s trowel to spread the mortar. The silver trowel presented to him was returned to the church by his grandson 70 years later.
Mackenzie laid the cornerstone of the First Baptist Church Ottawa on Elgin Street in 1877.
As concurrent prime minister and minister of Public Works, Mackenzie oversaw the completion of the Parliament Buildings. Detesting patronage, he modified the plans to add a secret staircase behind his office in the West Block – so that he could escape secretly and avoid the hordes of lobbyists and patronage seekers awaiting him.
The secret staircase leading from former prime minister Alexander Mackenzie’s office is seen in the West Block during a tour of the renovations on Parliament Hill.
In addition to an impressive record of reform legislation, Mackenzie promoted free trade and honesty in government tendering, and introduced an apolitical, merit-based public service. He stood up to the U.K. for the rights of Canada as a nation – almost coming to blows with Governor General Lord Dufferin. A number of key institutions were put in place under his watch, including: electoral reform and the secret ballot, the Supreme Court, the Royal Military College, and the Office of the Auditor General. Like the structures he built as a stonemason, these institutions were meant to last.
Unlike many politicians of the day, Mackenzie sought no personal enrichment nor recognition. He turned down three offers of knighthood. Instead, given a hero’s welcome on return trips to his birthplace, he was honoured with numerous “burgess tickets” – privileges granted by Scottish towns – and a tribute by the working men of Dundee.
The rise of someone from a working-class background to the highest position in government was very unusual. But, admired for his honesty and integrity, Mackenzie was propelled by passion, determination and a sense of duty.
With the economy suffering a worldwide depression, his administration fell to Macdonald’s protectionist trade policies in 1878. Exhausted and suffering from a mysterious illness that sapped his strength and took his voice, Mackenzie soon stepped down as Liberal leader, continuing to sit as an undefeated MP until his death in 1892.
Mackenzie, our stonemason prime minister, helped build Canada with a solid foundation that has lasted 150 years and is destined to last 150 more.
Ottawa writer John Morgan is a great-great grandson of Alexander Mackenzie.
What they said about Alexander Mackenzie
On the death of Alexander Mackenzie, tributes poured in. A sample:
“One of the truest and strongest characters to be met within Canadian history. He was of friends the most tender and true.” – Sir Wilfred Laurier
“A man, who although, through failing health and failing voice, he had virtually passed out of public life, yet retained to the last the affectionate veneration of the Canadian people as no other man of the time can be said to have done.” – Westminster Review
“It is one of the very foremost architects of the Canadian nationality that we mourn. In the dark days of ’73 Canadians were in a state of panic, distrusting the stability of their newly-built Dominion; no one can tell what would have happened had not the stalwart form of Alexander Mackenzie lifted itself above the screaming, vociferating and denying mass of politicians, and all Canada felt at once, there was a man who could be trusted.” – Montreal Star
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