born Jan. 28, 1822, Logierait, Perth, Scot.
died April 17, 1892, Toronto, Ont., Can.
Scottish-born Canadian politician, first Liberal prime minister of Canada (187378).
He emigrated to Canada West (now Ontario) in 1842. In 1852 he became editor of a local Liberal newspaper and befriended George Brown , leader of the Reform Party. When the Dominion of Canada was created in 1867, Mackenzie was elected to the House of Commons, where he led the Liberal opposition. As prime minister, his efforts at renewed reciprocity with the U.S. failed to address economic concerns, and his government was defeated in 1878. He resigned as leader of the opposition but held a seat in Parliament until his death.