Scottish Canadians
William Lyon Mackenzie (1795-1861) Here's a Scottish-Canadian that although left a mark on Canada, unless you're anti-Monarchist, he's no big hero. He was born in Dundee Scotland in 1795. He settled in Canada in 1820 and became a journalist and reformer. He was elected to the Upper Canada Legislature in 1828 but was expelled for writing against the government in his paper. He became mayor of Toronto from 1834 to 1836. In 1837 he led a Rebellion against the British. After his defeat he went to the United States. He died in 1861.
Sir John Alexander MacDonald (1815-1891) Sir John Alexander MacDonald was born in Glasgow, Scotland in 1815 but his family migrated to British North America in 1820. He became a politician and in 1844 represented some seat in Canada West to the Legislative Assembly of the Colony of Canada. In 1856, MacDonald became Premier of Canada West representing the Province of Canada with Premier of Canada East George Etienne Cartier. George Brown (see later down in this Article) prevented a bill from passing that would make Ottawa capital of Canada and both Cartier and MacDonald resigned. After two days, Cartier came back and pulled MacDonald with him so basically nothing changed. In 1867, MacDonald, who was one of the most important fathers of Confederation, became Prime Minister of the new Dominion of Canada. He died in 1891.
George Brown (1818-1880) George Brown was born in Alloa, Scotland in 1818. He came to Toronto in 1838. He founded the Toronto Globe, which was a very influential newspaper. He was elected to Canadian Assembly in 1851 as leader of the Reform Party. He was part of the coalition that would form the Dominion of Canada in 1864 but since he didn't really like MacDonald he resigned from the Coalition in 1865. He was actually very influential because of his ownership of the Globe and was appointed to the Senate in 1873.
Alexander Mackenzie (1822-1892) Here's another Alexander Mackenzie. This one was born in Logierait, Scotland in 1822. He moved to Kingston (which became Capital of the newly formed province of Canada) in 1842. He became the representative for Lambton County of Canada West. When the first election in Canada made of John A MacDonald Prime Minister of Canada, Mackenzie was elected for Lambton County. The next election, in 1872, Mackenzie was re-elected and chosen Leader of the Liberal party. MacDonald was forced to resign after a financial scandal
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