Chronology of the life of Sir Wilfrid Laurier.
1841—Born at St. Lin, Quebec, November 20, of Acadian descent on his
mother’s side.
1847—Went to school in New Glasgow, 1850 to L’Assomption College, and
in 1857 to McGill University.
1860—Became a law student.
1864—Took degree Bachelor of Civil Law at McGill. Called to Quebec Bar.
1866—Served against Fenian Raid.
1868—Was married to Miss Zoe Lafontaine.
1869—Ensign in Arthabaska Infantry Co.
1871-4—Member of Quebec Legislature for Drummond and Arthabaska.
1877—Elected to Commons for Drummond and Arthabaska.
1877—Sworn in as Privy Councillor and appointed Minister of Inland
Revenue in the Mackenzie Cabinet, but was defeated in the bye-election.
1877—Elected to House of Commons for Quebec East.
1880—Made Queen’s Counsel.
1887—Elected leader of the Liberal Party.
1889—Bâtonnier of the Bar (Arthabaska).
1889—Spoke in Toronto for the first time.
1896—Came into power as Premier of Canada.
1897—Established the British Preference. Knighted at Queen Victoria’s
Jubilee. Visited Washington in the interests of seal fisheries and
better trade relations.
1898—Member of Joint High Commission to Consider Trade with Britain and
U. S.
1899—Made an honorary Colonel. Despatched the Canadian Expedition to
South African War.
1900—Inaugurated the Western Canada Immigration policy.
1901—Received the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall, and accompanied them
across Canada.
1902—Attended the Colonial Trade Conference.
1903—Introduced the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway Scheme.
1904—Elected Member for Wright, also for Quebec East.
1905—Established the new Provinces of Saskatchewan and Alberta.
1907—Attended the Imperial Conference.
1908—Elected Member for Ottawa. Received the Prince of Wales at Quebec
Tercentenary.
1909—Voted with the whole House on the “Unanimous Resolution” re
Canadian Navy.
1910—Passed the Canadian Naval Service Act.
1911—Represented Canada at Coronation of King George and Queen Mary.
Liberal Government defeated at the polls on Question of Reciprocity in
Natural Products with the United States.
1912—Toured Ontario.
1913—Led the Opposition forces in the “Naval Blockade” in Parliament.
1914—Co-operated with Sir Robert Borden in the “Councils of War.”
1915—Maintained a Parliamentary Truce in House during War session.
1917—Was asked by Sir Robert Borden to enter a Union Government, but
declined.
Led the Opposition forces in the general election in opposition to the
conscription issue. Opposition was defeated, and Union Government
elected by large majority. Sir Wilfrid personally was elected in his old
seat of Quebec East, but was defeated in Ottawa.
1918—Led the Parliamentary Liberal Opposition to the Union Government
in the House of Commons.
1919—Died in Ottawa, February 17.