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"William Lyon Mackenzie King had a long political career. He was leader of the Liberal Party for 29 eventful years through the buoyant expansion of the 1920s, the depression of the 1930s, the shock of World War II, and then the post-war reconstruction, and for 21 of these years he was Canada’s prime minister. His decisions during this time contributed significantly to the shaping of Canada and to its development as an influential middle power in world affairs. During his lifetime his achievements were sometimes obscured by a style notable for its compromises. After his death his political career was sometimes overshadowed by the revelation of his unsuspected personal idiosyncrasies."
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Typewritten letter from William Lyon Mackenzie King to his nephew Arthur on Easter Sunday, April 9, 1950 in which he describes his own poor health and expresses concern for Arthur's. King asks for all the details about the oil burner that Arthur has acquired for his furnace and notes that the cost of oil makes heating almost as expensive as coal.
King thanks Arthur for congratulations on "the Royal Honours recently received, the Grand Cross of the Order of the Netherlands Lion and the Grand Cross of the Order of Leopold from Belgium," the which he notes belong to the nation and not to him personally. He goes on to quote from a letter from Churchill to himself published on p. 739 of Churchill's most recent work, The Grand Alliance, in which Churchill writes: " ﾑWhat a pleasure it is to see the whole empire pulling as one man, and believe me, my friend, I understand the reasons for your success in marshalling the grand war effort of Canada.' It is a nice tribute from the one who, more than any other, had to do with the direction of affairs at the time of the war." King expresses hope that he will soon be able to start work on his memoirs. He has still not ever visited Arthur and Kathleen's "little home in Toronto", and intends to do so "the first time I am in the city."
Salutation: "My dear Arthur" [typewritten]; Signature: "Yours very affectionately" [typewritten] "Uncle Willie" [handwritten].
Includes handwritten corrections.
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Donated by John English in 2019.
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English
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Letter: 2 leaves ; 25 x 20 cm.
Printed Letterhead: Laurier House, Ottawa.
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- King, Arthur Macdougall (Subject)
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Described May 2019 by JSB.
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English