Macdonald Sir John Alexander

Macdonald, Sir John Alexander (1815-92), was born in Scotland, but when still quite young was taken to Canada, and there educated at Kingston. He was admitted to the bar in 1836, and nine years later became member of Parliament for Kingston. He held numerous posts, being a member of the Executive Council, receiver-general, commissioner of Crown lands and Attorney-General, and in 1869 became Premier, which post he held till 1873, when he resigned owing to the Pacific Railway scandal, but resumed office in 1878. He was the recognised leader of the Conservatives from 1873, and took an active share in promoting the Canadian Pacific Railway and the Canadian federation movement. He was made a Privy Councillor in 1872, K.C.B. 1867, G.C.B. 1884.