Macdonald, John Alexander (1815–1891)

Canadian Conservative politician, prime minister 1867–73 and 1878–91. He was born in Glasgow, Scotland, but taken to Ontario as a child. In 1857 he became prime minister of Upper Canada. He took the leading part in the movement for federation, and in 1867 became the first prime minister of Canada. He was defeated in 1873 but returned to office in 1878 and retained it until his death. He was knighted in 1867.

Macdonald was called to the Bar 1836, and became QC 1846. He represented Kingston at the Legislative Assembly of Canada West (Ontario) 1844–78, and was also member of parliament for Kingston in the Federal Parliament from 1867 until his death. In 1854 he became attorney-general in a coalition government. His government fell 1873 because its members were found to have received campaign funds from a railway concessionaire, the ‘Pacific Scandal’.