Today in Canada’s Political History: Sir Richard Cartwright passes into historyOne of Canada’s most significant early post-Confederation politicians died on this date in 1912. I speak, of course, of Sir Richard Cartwright of Kingston (where I now live), who would serve in the cabinets of both Prime Minister Alexander Mackenzie and Prime Minister Sir Wilfrid Laurier. Cartwright, from one of Kingston’s most storied United Empire Loyalist families, began his political life as one of Tory – and fellow Kingstonian – Sir John A. Macdonald’s strongest supporters. Elected to the House as a Macdonald Tory, his support of his friend stopped entirely when Sir John A. did not appoint Cartwright Minister of Finance. When Sir John A. was tossed out of office – rightly – due to the Pacific Scandal in 1873, Alexander Mackenzie took office as Canada’s first Liberal Prime Minister.

Source: CBC News September 24, 2022 10:20 UTC