Sir John Alexander Macdonald, GCB PC QC (10 or 11 January 1815 – 6 June 1891), was Canada’s first prime minister, serving from 1867 to 1873 and then from 1878 until his death in 1891. He was a central figure in the Canadian Confederation and had a political career that spanned nearly fifty years. Born in Scotland, Macdonald’s family immigrated to Kingston in what was then Upper Canada (now eastern Ontario) during his childhood. As a lawyer, he gained prominence through involvement in high-profile cases and was elected to the legislature of the Province of Canada in 1844. By 1857, he had become premier amid the colony's unstable political environment. In 1864, Macdonald accepted a proposal from his political rival, George Brown, to form a Great Coalition aimed at seeking federation and political reform. He played a key role in the discussions that led to the British North America Act, which established Canada as a nation on 1 July 1867. As the first prime minister of Canada, Macdonald served for 19 years, a tenure only surpassed by William Lyon Mackenzie King. During his first term, he established the North-West Mounted Police and expanded Canada by incorporating the North-Western Territory, Rupert's Land, British Columbia, and Prince Edward Island. In 1873, he resigned due to a scandal involving bribes taken by his party from businessmen seeking the Canadian Pacific Railway contract. However, he was re-elected in 1878. Macdonald’s major achievements included building and guiding a stable national government, strengthening the Conservative Party through patronage, promoting the protective tariff of the National Policy, and completing the railway. He resisted provincial efforts to reclaim power from the federal government and approved the execution of Métis leader Louis Riel in 1885, which led to estrangement from many francophones. Macdonald remained in office until his death in 1891, and he is still the oldest prime minister in Canadian history. In the 21st century, Macdonald has faced criticism for his role in the Chinese Head Tax, his policies towards Indigenous peoples, including his involvement in the North-West Rebellion and the establishment of the residential school system. Despite this, he is still acknowledged for his pivotal role in the formation of Canada and is often ranked among the highest-rated prime ministers in Canadian history.

John A. Macdonald - Wikipedia