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William Lyon Mackenzie King: A Political Biography, Volume 1: 1874-1923

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Published in William Lyon Mackenzie King Volume 1 1874 1923: A Political Biography (Heritage)

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William Lyon Mackenzie King was a Canadian politician who served as the tenth Prime Minister of Canada, holding office from 1921 to 1926, 1926 to 1930, and 1935 to 1948. He was the leader of the Liberal Party of Canada from 1919 to 1948.

William Lyon Mackenzie King, Volume 1, 1874-1923: A Political Biography (Heritage)

by Paul J. Batura

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Language	:	English
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Print length	:	544 pages

King was born in Berlin, Ontario, on December 17, 1874. He was the son of William Lyon Mackenzie, a Scottish immigrant and former mayor of Toronto, and Isabella Grace Mackenzie. King's father was a prominent figure in Canadian politics, and his mother was a devout Methodist. King was raised in a strict religious household, and he attended Sunday school and church every week.

King was a bright and curious child. He excelled in school, and he was particularly interested in history and politics. After graduating from high school, King attended the University of Toronto, where he studied political science and economics. He graduated from university in 1895 with a first-class honours degree.

After graduating from university, King worked as a journalist for the Toronto Globe. He also became involved in politics, and he was elected to the Ontario Legislature in 1908. King served in the Ontario Legislature for four years, and he held several cabinet positions, including Minister of Labour and Minister of Education.

In 1919, King was elected leader of the Liberal Party of Canada. He led the party to victory in the 1921 federal election, and he became Prime Minister of Canada.

King's first term as Prime Minister was marked by a number of challenges. The country was still reeling from the effects of the First World War, and the economy was in a recession. King also faced a number of political challenges, including the rise of the Progressive Party and the United Farmers of Canada.

Despite these challenges, King managed to achieve a number of significant accomplishments during his first term as Prime Minister. He introduced a number of social welfare programs, including old age pensions and unemployment insurance. He also established the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and the National Film Board.

King was defeated in the 1925 federal election, but he returned to power in 1926. His second term as Prime Minister was marked by the Great Depression. King's government responded to the Depression by introducing a number of relief programs, but the economy continued to struggle.

King was defeated again in the 1930 federal election, but he returned to power in 1935. His third term as Prime Minister was marked by the Second World War. King led Canada through the war, and he played a key role in the Allied victory.

King retired from politics in 1948. He died in 1950 at the age of 75.

King was a complex and controversial figure. He was a brilliant politician, but he was also known for his ambition and his ruthless tactics. He was a strong advocate for social justice, but he was also willing to compromise with his principles in order to achieve his goals.

King's legacy is still debated today. Some historians view him as one of Canada's greatest prime ministers, while others see him as a flawed and enigmatic figure.