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.

• Wilfrid 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, Wilfrid 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.

• Wilfrid Laurier was a very respected politician and leader; he served as an MP for 45 years.

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Last Updated: February 18, 2011
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