 Sir John A Macdonald History and
Biography
Sir John A. Macdonald is a prominent name in Canadian history. He
is the first Prime Minister of Canada and one of the most dominant figures involved with Confederation. His
political contributions have shaped the face of Canada for centuries after his death. Macdonald was also served
as a large proponent of the national railway that linked Canada from the Atlantic to Pacific Oceans. His
endless list of achievements range from Canadian territorial expansion to being the only Prime Minister to
win 6 majority governments.
Early Life
John A. Macdonald was born in Glasgow,
Scotland in 1815. His father, Hugh Macdonald owned a small manufacturing business in Glasgow while his mother,
Helen Shaw was from a farming family. After his business failed, Hugh Macdonald decided to pack the bags
and move the family to Canada. At age ten, John A. Macdonald was sent to Kingston, Ontario to study and
fullfill his educational calling. It is widely reported that it was his mother's adamant insistence that he got
the education he did. Being, from a farming town, she valued instilling knowledge and education above all else
in her son. At age 15, Macdonald began an apprenticeship for a local Kingston lawyer.
Over the course of many years working in the law, Macdonald's reputation steadily grew. By 1842, his law office
became one of the most popular in Canada. Then, in 1843 he was appointed councilman for Kingston. In 1844, he
ran for a Kingston in the legislative assembly of Canada, winning a large
majority.
(John A Macdonald as a young lawyer)
Life In Politics
Macdonald's popularity and
power within office
steadily grew as he
made a smooth transition
from lawyer to
politician. In 1854, he helped found the
Liberal-Conservative Party under the leadership of Sir Allan Mcnab. By 1864 several prominent politicians
including George-Etienne Cartier and Sir Etienne-Paschal Tache joined ranks with Macdonald to form the
governing government.
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