Thomas D'Arcy McGee: The Extreme Moderate, 1857-1868

Thomas D'Arcy McGee was a prominent Irish-Canadian politician who played a significant role in the development of Canadian Confederation. Born in Ireland in 1825, McGee immigrated to Canada in 1857 and quickly became involved in politics. He was elected to the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada in 1858 and served as a cabinet minister in the government of John A. Macdonald. McGee was a strong advocate for Irish rights and for the creation of a united Canada. He was assassinated in 1868 by a Fenian sympathizer.

Early Life and Career

Thomas D'Arcy McGee was born in Carlingford, County Louth, Ireland, on April 13, 1825. He was the son of James McGee, a farmer, and Mary Murphy. McGee's father died when he was young, and his mother raised him and his siblings in poverty. McGee attended school in Carlingford and then at St. Patrick's College in Maynooth. He studied for the priesthood, but he left the seminary in 1845 and moved to Dublin.

Thomas D'Arcy McGee: The Extreme Moderate, 1857-1868

by David A. Wilson

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3969 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	525 pages
X-Ray for textbooks	:	Enabled

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In Dublin, McGee became involved in politics and journalism. He wrote for several newspapers and magazines, and he also became a member of the Young Ireland movement. The Young Irelanders were a group of Irish nationalists who advocated for Ireland's independence from British rule. McGee was arrested and imprisoned for his political activities in 1848. After his release, he fled to the United States.

McGee lived in the United States for several years, and he worked as a journalist and a lecturer. He also became involved in the Fenian movement, a group of Irish-American nationalists who sought to use violence to achieve Ireland's independence. In 1857, McGee returned to Ireland and became the editor of the Dublin Nation. He was arrested and imprisoned again for his political activities, but he was released in 1859.

Political Career in Canada

In 1857, McGee immigrated to Canada. He settled in Montreal and quickly became involved in politics. He was elected to the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada in 1858 and served as a cabinet minister in the government of John A. Macdonald. McGee was a strong advocate for Irish rights and for the creation of a united Canada. He was also a leading proponent of the British Empire.

McGee played a significant role in the development of the Canadian Confederation. He was one of the delegates who attended the Charlottetown Conference in 1864, and he helped to draft the Quebec Resolutions, which formed the basis of the British North America Act, which created the Dominion of Canada in 1867.

Assassination

McGee was assassinated on April 7, 1868, by a Fenian sympathizer named Patrick James Whelan. Whelan shot McGee in the back of the head as he was walking home from a lecture in Ottawa. McGee died instantly. Whelan was convicted of murder and hanged in 1869.

McGee's assassination was a major blow to the Canadian Confederation. He was a leading figure in the movement for a united Canada, and his death was a setback for the new country. However, McGee's legacy continued to live on. He is considered one of the fathers of Canadian Confederation, and his contributions to the development of Canada are still celebrated today.

Long Tail Keywords

* Thomas D'Arcy McGee * Irish-Canadian politician * Canadian Confederation * Young Ireland movement * Fenian movement * British Empire * Charlottetown Conference * Quebec Resolutions * British North America Act * Dominion of Canada * Assassination of Thomas D'Arcy McGee * Patrick James Whelan * Canadian history

Thomas D'Arcy McGee: The Extreme Moderate, 1857-1868

by David A. Wilson

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3969 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	525 pages
X-Ray for textbooks	:	Enabled

FREE