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William Lyon Mackenzie King

10th prime minister of canada (1874-1950).

Born December 17th, 1874 in Kitchener. [ref]

Died July 22nd, 1950 at 75 years old in The Farm (pneumonia). [ref]

Occupations
diarist, diplomat, economist, journalist, lawyer, politician

William Lyon Mackenzie King, one of the longest-serving prime ministers in Canadian history, died on July 22, 1950 at the age of 75. King's career in politics started in 1908 when he was first elected to the House of Commons. In 1919 he was elected leader of the Liberal Party and spent nearly 25 years defining the face of Liberalism in Canada. He was appointed Canada's 10th Prime Minister in December 1921, and was later re-elected three times in 1925, 1926, and 1935. He withdrew his Liberal bid in 1948 following a disappointing performance in the polls. However, he had the longest tenure as a Canadian Prime Minister, serving 2,050 days spread out over three terms in office. King was a great advocate for economic and social development in Canada during his time in office. He held many conferences on the national economy and was credited for helping federal-provincial agreement relations during the 1930s, while re-instating true autonomy for Newfoundland. His greatest contributions to Canada include the drafting of the modern unemployment insurance, some of Canada's earliest old age pensions, and the recognition of the right of collective bargaining. King is survived by two younger brothers, Max and Earle, who reside in their respective homes in London, Ontario, and New York City, USA.

Those men who, in war, seek to preserve their lives at any rate commonly die with shame and ignominy, while those who look upon death as common to all, and unavoidable, and are only solicitous to die with honour, oftener arrive at old age and, while they live, live happier. Xenophon