Skip to main content

Primary sourceDocument1885

Report of the Demonstration Honouring Macdonald's Fortieth Year in Public Life

Frederic Nicholls and A. W. Wright · 1885

An 1885 report on a Liberal-Conservative celebration marking Macdonald's forty years in public life.

A record of a political celebration of Macdonald's forty years in public life, organized by his own party.

Ask Sir John A. Macdonald about this sourceView the original(opens in new tab)
Report of the Demonstration Honouring Macdonald's Fortieth Year in Public LifePDF · 140 pages
Frederic Nicholls and A. W. Wright (compilers), Report of the Demonstration in Honour of the Fortieth Anniversary of Sir John A. Macdonald's Entrance into Public Life, 1885.

About this source

What it is

This is a printed report, compiled by Frederic Nicholls and A. W. Wright, documenting a demonstration held in 1885 to honour the fortieth anniversary of Sir John A. Macdonald's entry into public life. It records proceedings held in Toronto and Montreal and includes a list of delegates.

Why it matters

The event and its published record show how Macdonald's own political party celebrated and promoted his long career while he was still prime minister. It reveals how supporters built up his public image and legacy during his lifetime.

Look closer

  • Why might a political party organize a large public celebration for its leader?
  • What does the detailed list of delegates suggest about the scale and organization of the event?
  • How might this kind of document differ from a neutral historical account?

This document is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Sir John A. Macdonald on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

More Sir John A. Macdonald sources

Meet the AI Sir John A. Macdonald →
Title page of an 1867 printed copy of the British North America Act, reading 'An Act of the Imperial Parliament for the Union of Canada, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, and the Government Thereof', with a royal crest and 'Ottawa: Printed by Hunter, Rose & Co. 1867'.Document

Primary source

Constitution Act, 1867

1867

Scanned page of the printed Report of Resolutions from the Quebec Conference, October 10, 1864, with the title and numbered resolutions 1 to 14 in dense print, annotated with handwritten marks, and pen-and-ink caricature profiles of men in the margins.Document

Primary source

Quebec Resolutions (Seventy-Two Resolutions)

Delegates of the Quebec Conference (principal drafter John A. Macdonald) · 1864

Black-and-white group photograph of about two dozen men in 19th-century suits and top hats posed on the front steps and lawn of a shingled colonial building with white columns and a fanlight doorway.Photograph

Primary source

Charlottetown Conference Delegates, September 1864

George P. Roberts · September 1864

Document

Primary source

Chinese Immigration Act of 1885

1885

Pen-and-ink cartoon titled 'Whither Are We Drifting?' showing a tall man in a long coat and checked trousers standing on a sleeping figure's head, holding a paper labelled 'Prorogation' and 'Suppression of Investigation' while pointing skyward. A large money bag labelled 'Pacific' lies nearby.Painting

Primary source

"Whither Are We Drifting?" cartoon, Grip

J. W. Bengough · 1873

Ready when you are

Start chatting with Sir John A. Macdonald now.

20 messages free · No credit card · Available in 50+ languages.

Trial Humy for freeGet a quote for institutions