Sir Wilfrid Laurier
The first French Canadian to become prime minister of Canada was Wilfrid Laurier.
Although French was his native tongue, he became a master of the English
language. This and his picturesque personality made him popular throughout
Canada, and he led the young country in a 15-year period of great development.
Wilfrid Laurier was born in St-Lin, Quebec, and studied law at McGill University.
After three years in the Quebec legislature, he was elected to the Canadian
House of Commons in 1874. There he rose rapidly to leadership. Although he was a
French Canadian and a Roman Catholic, he was chosen leader of the Liberal party
in 1887. Nine years later he became prime minister. He was knighted in 1897.
"Build up Canada" were the watchwords of Laurier's government. Laurier was loyal
to Great Britain, sent Canadian volunteers to help in the Boer War, established
a tariff favorable to British goods, and worked to strengthen the ties between
the two countries.
