Wilfrid Laurier: A Pledge for Canada

Ian A. Andrews is a high-school social sciences teacher and editor of the New Brunswick Teachers’ Association’s Focus.

Canadian historians generally rate Sir Wilfrid Laurier (1841–1919)
among our top leaders. But younger citizens are seldom aware of the role
played by our first French-Canadian prime minister, who served from 1896
to 1911, as he attempted to stabilize the nation. Whatever complex
political tangle Canada was struggling with—French and English
language rights, Catholic and Protestant education, or federal and
provincial powers—the eloquently bilingual francophone, who loved
British literature, bridged the two solitudes. In this engaging
biography, Roderick Stewart outlines his many contributions.

Stewart’s very readable narrative touches on all the major events in
Laurier’s career, looking at both the person (with his sickly
disposition) and his public and private relationships. Above all,
Laurier was a strong Canadian nationalist who strove to promote unity
rather than dissention. As early as 1864 in a valedictory speech when
graduating in law from McGill University he offered his mission
statement: “I pledge my honour that I will give the whole of my life
to the cause of conciliation, harmony and concord among the different
elements of this country of ours.” And this he proceeded to do in his
half-century in public life.

Wilfrid Laurier is the latest addition to the Quest Library of
biographies of prominent Canadians, a series that is produced and
designed for young adults. It was nominated for the 2003 Norma Fleck
Award for Canadian Children’s Non-Fiction. Highly recommended.