Now if you tell your favourite adult that you’re learning about William Lyon Mackenzie King, the adult is almost sure to make a wisecrack about his dead mother. Why? Well, Rex thought his mother was the sweetest, most beautiful woman in the world, and he struggled to make her proud. He went to church often. He studied hard. And when he got a job, he sent money home to her. He was so obedient that when his mother told him not to marry a certain woman, he didn’t. After his mother died, he missed her very much and talked to her often. (That’s the part that makes adults giggle.)
But Rex served three terms as prime minister, for a total of 21 years, 5 months and 1 day. That’s longer than any other prime minister in Canadian history. So what if he liked to go home after a hard day and talk to a painting of his mother?
What can you do to set the record straight? While the adults are busy giggling, you can spring a few facts on them. For example, you can mention that Rex did a lot to promote national unity. Please open the envelope marked Lesson One.
LESSON ONE
How Rex Promoted National Unity
1. CONSCRIPTION
During World War I, when English Canadians wanted to force soldier soldiers to serve in the war and French Canadians didn’t, Rex was the only English-speaking member of his party to side with the prime minister. The French Canadians loved him for it and didn’t forget it. When election time came, many of them voted for Rex.
2. GOOD ADVISERS
Rex chose wonderful French-Canadian advisers and gave them lots of freedom to make decisions. He had a talent for hiring good people and listening to their advice, especially on subjects that threatened to split the country.
3. BILINGUALISM
Rex promoted the French language, even though he didn’t speak it. For example, he made sure Canadian money was printed in both French and English. (And now his picture is on the $50 bill! His mother would have been so proud!)
From Famous Dead Canadians 2. Copyright © 2006 by Joanne Stanbridge. Illustrations © copyright by Bill Dickson. All rights reserved.
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