Wilfrid Laurier Biography | Canadian Prime Minister

Sir Wilfrid Laurier

Born: November 20, 1841
Died: February 17, 1919
Place of Birth: St.Lin-des-Laurentides, Quebec

Wilfrid Laurier studied Law at McGill University graduating in 1864.
Following university, he began to practise law in Montreal.
Laurier became Canada's first french Canadian Prime Minister in 1896.
He was a gifted orater and once defended the alleged traitor, Louis Riel.
Laurier had been brought up in an anti-English background, but he gained respect for the British democratic institutions.
In 1905, Laurier was instrumental in helping form the provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan.
In 1910, Laurier's government established the Royal Canadian Navy.
He was very active politically in bringing the French and English together to make a greater nation.
At one point he campaigned for free trade with the US, but later dropped the idea.
Laurier was a very respected politician and leader; he served as an MP for 45 years.

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