William Lyon Mackenzie King - biography.

William Lyon Mackenzie King - biography. Tenth prime minister of Canada Birth December 17, 1874 Death July 22, 1950 Place of Birth Berlin (now Kitchener), Ontario Constituencies Waterloo North, Ontario (1908-1911) Prince, Prince Edward Island (1919-1921) North York, Ontario (1921-1925) Prince Albert, Saskatchewan (1926-1945) Glengarry, Ontario (1945-1949) Political Party Liberal Terms 1921-1926 1926-1930 1935-1948 Significant Wrote the 1907 Industrial Disputes Investigation Act Acts Introduced unemployment insurance in 1940 During World War II signed the Ogdensburg Declaration (a defense agreement) and the Hyde Park Declaration (an economic agreement) with United States President Franklin D. Roosevelt Enforced the draft in 1944 Helped preserve the unity of French and English populations in Canada during World War II Headed the Canadian delegation at the conference that drafted the 1945 United Nations charter Increased Canada's autonomy and international presence, and reduced trade barriers between Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom Career 1900-1908 Served as first deputy minister of labor 1908-1911 1919-1948 Served as a member of the House of Commons 1909-1911 Served as minister of labor 1919-1948 Led the Liberal Party 1921 Won election as prime minister 1921-1946 Served as minister of external affairs, with a hiatus between 1930 and 1935 1926 Resigned following revelations of corruption in the customs department, but was reelected as prime minister later that year 1930 Was defeated in elections 1935 Won election as prime minister 1945 Won reelection as prime minister 1947 Received the prestigious British Order of Merit November 15, 1948 Resigned due to failing health Did You Know King believed in spirits and held séances throughout his life. King held the office of prime minister longer than anyone else in the British Commonwealth. King was a lifelong bachelor. King's grandfather is William Lyon Mackenzie, who led a well-known rebellion in Upper Canada in 1837 against British rule. King studied political economy at the University of Chicago and at Harvard University. Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.