Laurier
SIR WILFRID (lō-ryā'), a Canadian statesman; born in St. Lin, Quebec, Nov. 20, 1841. He was educated for the legal profession. He embarked on his political career in 1871, when he was elected as a Liberal to the Quebec Provincial Assembly; and here his eloquence and ability at once brought him to the front. In 1874 he was elected to the Federal Assembly. From the first he advocated a policy of free trade, and, though a Catholic, his spirited resistance to the attempted dictation of the Roman Catholic hierarchy in regard to the Manitoba school question, showed that he was independent of such influence in political affairs. In 1891 he was chosen as leader of the Liberal Party, and at the general election of 1896 he led his followers to a notable victory, becoming Premier of the Dominion. His tariff legislation during 1897, giving Great Britain the benefit of preferential trade with Canada, aroused much enthusiasm both in the colony and Vol. V-Cyc-BB Gr river height Lin educated embarked he Quebe selected to the first resistance the Roman LAURIUM in England. He was appointed a member of the Privy Council. Died 1919.