Arthur Meighen

Arthur Meighen was a Canadian politician who served as the ninth Prime Minister of Canada, leading the country from 1920 to 1921 and again in 1926. He was a member of the Conservative Party of Canada and played a significant role in Canadian politics during the early 20th century, interacting with notable figures such as Robert Borden, William Lyon Mackenzie King, and R. B. Bennett. Meighen's life and career were marked by his involvement in key events, including the National Policy and the Statute of Westminster 1931. He was also associated with institutions like the University of Toronto and the Ontario Bar Association.

● Early Life and Education

Meighen was born in St. Marys, Ontario, to Joseph Meighen and Mary Meighen, and grew up in a family of Methodist faith. He attended St. Marys Public School and later enrolled in the University of Toronto, where he studied law and became involved in debating societies like the University of Toronto Debating Union. Meighen's education also took him to Osgoode Hall Law School, where he earned his law degree and became a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada. His early career was influenced by his connections to the Conservative Party of Canada and his relationships with prominent politicians, including John A. Macdonald and John Thompson.

● Career

Meighen began his career as a lawyer in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, and soon became involved in Manitoba politics, serving in the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba from 1906 to 1908. He then entered federal politics, representing the riding of Portage la Prairie in the House of Commons of Canada from 1908 to 1921. Meighen held various cabinet positions, including Minister of the Interior and Minister of Mines, under the leadership of Robert Borden and John Diefenbaker. He was also a key figure in the National Liberal and Conservative Party and played a role in shaping the party's policies, particularly with regards to the National Policy and Canadian autonomy within the British Empire.

● Prime Minister of Canada

Meighen served as the ninth Prime Minister of Canada from 1920 to 1921 and again in 1926, leading a minority government on both occasions. During his first term, he faced challenges such as the Winnipeg General Strike and the Halifax Explosion, and worked with other leaders, including William Lyon Mackenzie King and R. B. Bennett, to address these issues. Meighen's second term was marked by his attempts to navigate the complexities of Canadian federalism and his relationships with other prominent politicians, including Ernest Lapointe and Charles Dunning. He also interacted with international leaders, such as David Lloyd George and Stanley Baldwin, on issues like the Chanak Crisis and the Imperial Conference.

● Later Life and Legacy

After leaving office, Meighen returned to his law practice and remained involved in Canadian politics, serving as the leader of the Conservative Party of Canada from 1926 to 1929 and again from 1941 to 1942. He was also a member of the Canadian Senate from 1932 to 1942, representing the province of Ontario. Meighen's legacy is complex, with some viewing him as a skilled politician who navigated the challenges of Canadian federalism, while others see him as a figure who struggled to connect with the Canadian people. He is remembered for his involvement in key events, such as the Statute of Westminster 1931 and the Canadian National Exhibition, and his relationships with notable figures, including Vince Massey and George Drew.

● Electoral History

Meighen's electoral history is marked by his successes and failures in various Canadian federal elections, including the 1908 Canadian federal election, the 1911 Canadian federal election, and the 1925 Canadian federal election. He represented the ridings of Portage la Prairie and York South in the House of Commons of Canada and was a member of the Canadian Senate from 1932 to 1942. Meighen's electoral campaigns often focused on issues like the National Policy, tariffs, and Canadian autonomy, and he interacted with other prominent politicians, including William Lyon Mackenzie King, R. B. Bennett, and John Diefenbaker, during his electoral battles. Meighen's legacy continues to be studied by scholars of Canadian history and Canadian politics, including those at the University of Toronto and the University of British Columbia.