King, William Lyon Mackenzie (1874-1950), served as prime minister of Canada three times between 1921 and 1948. He held the office a total of 21 years, longer than any other prime minister of Canada. He was leader of the Liberal Party of Canada for 29 years.
King guided Canada to independence and equality with other members of the Commonwealth of Nations. He strengthened the unity between English-speaking and French-speaking Canadians, and he skillfully led Canada through World War II (1939-1945).
Mackenzie King devoted almost his entire adult life to his country. As a university student, his research into labor problems brought him to the attention of Liberal Party leaders. He helped organize Canada's Department of Labour in 1900 and became the first full-time minister of labour in 1909.
King first took office as prime minister in 1921. He served from 1921 to 1926, from 1926 to 1930, and from 1935 to 1948. During his terms as prime minister, King also served as secretary of state for external affairs, except for his last two years in office. His main goals in international relations were independence for Canada and improved cooperation with the governments of the United Kingdom and the United States.
Short, stocky, and shy, King did not look like the great statesman he was. He wanted to be popular, but lacked the personality to inspire public affection. Many Canadians thought King was stuffy and old-fashioned, but they greatly respected his political talents. King, a lifelong bachelor, lived alone and had few close friends. "You can control people better," he once said, "if you don't see too much of them."
