Monument to William Lyon Mackenzie

Monumemt to William Lyon Mackenzie in the Queen Park, Toronto

Monument to William Lyon Mackenzie (1795 – 1861). Born near Dundee, Scotland, Mackenzie came to upper Canada in 1820. Four years later he founded a political newspaper, the Colonial Advocate, at Queenston, sharply critical of the ruling oligarchy in the province. He entered politics, became leader of the radical wing of the Reform party, and in 1834 was elected Toronto’s first mayor.

The rejection of his demands for reform drove him to lead an armed rebellion in Upper Canada in 1837. Defeated by government forces, Mackenzie escaped to the United States where he found many sympathizers. In 1849 Mackenzie was permitted to return to Canada and settled in Toronto. Before his death he witnessed the firm establishment of a system or responsible government in the country.

General View of the monument. Photo by Elena.

Grief. Detail of the monument. Photo by Elena.

Monument to William Lyon Mackenzie (1795 – 1861).