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Primary sourceBook1879

The Political Adventures of Sir J. A. Macdonald

1879

An 1879 pamphlet about Macdonald's political career during his lifetime, written from a partisan point of view by an author the record does not name.

This 1879 pamphlet is a contemporary account of Macdonald's political career, written while he was still in public life.

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The Political Adventures of Sir J. A. Macdonald
The Political Adventures of Sir J. A. Macdonald, K.C.B., 1879. Scanned copy, Internet Archive.

About this source

What it is

This is a small printed book published in 1879, with the cover title The Political Adventures of the Right Honorable Sir John A. Macdonald, K.C.B. It was sold for twenty cents. The opening describes Macdonald as often compared to the leader of the Conservative party in England, and it gives a detailed portrait of his appearance and manner. The author is not named in the facts available. The scanned copy is held on the Internet Archive.

Why it matters

The pamphlet was published while Macdonald was still active in politics, so it reflects how the public and the press talked about him during his career. Its tone suggests a partisan account, not a neutral history. It also shows the popular interest in political personalities in 1879, when Macdonald was returning to power after his first term as prime minister.

Look closer

  • What does the opening description emphasize about Macdonald's looks and manner, and why might a writer choose these details?
  • Who would have bought a twenty-cent pamphlet like this, and what did they want to learn?
  • Whose side is this account on, and how can you tell from its word choices?

This book 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.

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