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1827-1910 (Creation)
- Creator
- Macdonald, John A. (John Alexander), 1815-1891
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Physical description
2.5 centimetres of textual records
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Archival description area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Sir John A. (John Alexander) Macdonald (1815-1891) was a lawyer, businessman, politician and Prime Minister of Canada from 1867 to 1873, and from 1878 to 1891.
He was born in Glasgow (Scotland), the son of Hugh Macdonald and Helen Shaw. He immigrated to Kingston (Upper Canada) with his family in 1820. He started articling as a law student at age 15, and opened his own law firm in 1835. Starting in the 1840's he was also director of a number of companies, and was involved in land acquisitions.
Macdonald was elected alderman in Kingston in 1842. Two years later he was elected member of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada. He was appointed a Cabinet member in 1847, serving as Receiver-General then as Commissioner of Crown Lands until he resigned with the Cabinet in 1848. He became Attorney General in 1854.
Macdonald was leader of the Canada West section of the government as well as Attorney General from 1856 to 1862. His government supported economic expansion through tariff reciprocity with the United States and railway building, and enacted reforms in governmental administration.
In 1864, Macdonald joined a coalition government and was one of the main architects of the union of the Province of Canada, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia into the new Dominion of Canada. In particular, he was instrumental in ensuring that the central (federal) government would hold most of the powers.
Macdonald became the first Prime Minister of Canada in 1867. His Conservative government negotiated the purchase of Rupert Land from the Hudson Bay Company in 1868, but a Metis uprising led to the creation of the Province of Manitoba (1870). It also negotiated the entry into Canada of British Columbia (1871) and Prince Edward Island (1873). The Macdonald government undertook the building of a transcontinental railway from Montreal to British Columbia, but a bribery scandal surrounding this project forced it to resign in 1873.
Macdonald was re-elected Prime Minister in 1878. His second government enacted an economic "National Policy" to protect Canada's industry through high import tariffs, and saw the completion of the Canadian Pacific Railway. A second Metis uprising in the North West Territories (1885) led to tension between linguistic groups and loss of Quebec support for the Conservatives, while Macdonald met with a growing resistance from the provincial governments to his centrist policies.
Macdonald was married twice, first to Isabella Clark then Susan Agnes Bernard. Only one of his three children lived to adulthood. Macdonald died shortly after winning the 1891 federal election.
Custodial history
Scope and content
The collection consists of a small group of original letters sent and received by John A. Macdonald, dated 1855-1891. Subjects of the letters include: patronage appointments, a school bill, the 1860 visit of the Prince of Wales, Canadian confederation, election issues, and government railway policy. Also included is a letter of condolence from Conservative members of both Houses to Lady Macdonald, following the death of Sir John A. Macdonald.
For a more detailed description, use this link to the Archives of Ontario's descriptive database: http://ao.minisisinc.com/scripts/mwimain.dll/144/PROV/PROV/REFD+F+35?SESSIONSEARCH
Notes area
Physical condition
Immediate source of acquisition
Collection was acquired by the Archives of Ontario through various accessions. Materials were obtained in 1937 from Mrs. A.W. MacNabb of Toronto, Ontario; materials were acquired in 1952 from William Nickle; materials were acquired in 1965 from Dave Taylor of Picton, Ontario; materials were acquired in 1965 from Victor Buffam of Toronto, Ontario; materials were obtained in 1968 from Bishop W.J. Smith of Pembroke, Ontario; materials were acquired in 1970 from Mrs. Dave Taylor of Bloomfield, Ontario; and materials were acquired in 1972 from Nancy Brook of Toronto.
Arrangement
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Location of originals
Availability of other formats
Most records are available on microfilm only.
Restrictions on access
Access to original records held by the Archives of Ontario is restricted for security purposes. Photocopies are available for consultation.
Terms governing use, reproduction, and publication
Records are in the public domain.
There are no restrictions on reproduction for research and private study. If you wish to use other than for research and private study any of this material, submit a Request for Permission to Publish, Exhibit or Broadcast Form.
Finding aids
For a more detailed description, use this link to the Archives of Ontario's descriptive database: http://ao.minisisinc.com/scripts/mwimain.dll/144/PROV/PROV/REFD+F+35?SESSIONSEARCH
Associated materials
Most records of John A. Macdonald are held by Library and Archives Canada, MG 26, A.
The Archives of Ontario has microfilm copies of the records of Macdonald which are held at Library and Archives Canada in Ottawa. To view microfilm records obtained from Library and Archives Canada, consult the following microfilm reels: ; C 21 - C 38; C 1488 - C 1525; C 1552 - C 1569; C 1580 - C 1600; C 1655 - C 1716; C 1746 - C 1828; C 4810 - C 4818.
Numerous fonds and collections held by the Archives of Ontario include letters to or from John A. Macdonald, or references to him. A list of these fonds and collections is available in the inventory for F 35.
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Entered Apr/12.