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One of Canada's great statesmen and the first francophone prime minister, Sir Wilfrid Laurier believed passionately in Canada as an English-French partnership. "I have had before me as a pillar of fire," he said, "a policy of true Canadianism, of moderation, of reconciliation."
Always distinguished by his debonair charm and intellect, Laurier was first elected to the House of Commons in 1874 and gradually built up his party's strength and his personal following in Quebec and elsewhere in Canada. He led the Liberal Party to victory in 1896 and remained Prime Minister until 1911.
Laurier led Canada in a period of rapid growth, industrialization, and immigration. Through his career, he faced repeated challenges to his vision of Canada, but he said he preferred "sunny ways" over stormy conflicts.
Sir Wilfrid Laurier died, still leader of the opposition, in 1919 and was buried in Ottawa.