Mackenzie, Alexander (1822-1892)

Canadian politician. In 1867, on the union of Canada, he was elected to the Dominion parliament, and became leader of the opposition in 1868. In 1873 he succeeded John Macdonald as prime minister.

Under Mackenzie the Canadian Pacific project languished, and British Columbia was nearly lost. He was forced by the severe depression of 1873 to abandon his principles of free trade, and to raise the tariff.

Mackenzie was born at Dunkeld, Perthshire, Scotland. He emigrated to Canada 1842, and settled at Kingston, Ontario, where he became a builder and contractor.