King, W L Mackenzie

King, W(illiam) L(yon) Mackenzie

W.L. Mackenzie King.

(credit: National Film Board of Canada Phototheque)

(born Dec. 17, 1874, Berlin, Ont., Can.—died July 22, 1950, Kingsmere, Que.) Prime minister of Canada (1921–26, 1926–30, 1935–48). The grandson of William L. Mackenzie, he was deputy minister of labour (1900–08) before being appointed Canada's first minister of labour (1909–11). Reelected to the Canadian Parliament (1919), he became leader of the Liberal Party. As prime minister, he favoured social reform without socialism; he led the government with support from an alliance of Liberals and Progressives. He effected a more independent relationship between the Commonwealth nations and Britain. During and after World War II he unified a country often divided between English and French constituents.