Macdonald, Sir John A.

Macdonald, Sir John A. Alexander Macdonald ( 1815 – 91 )
Canadian statesman. Elected a Tory member of the House of Assembly of United Canada in 1844 , he was the leading figure in bringing about Confederation ( 1867 ) of the provinces of British North Canada as the Dominion of Canada after the passage of the British North America Act . He became the first Prime Minister ( 1867 – 73 ) of the new Dominion of Canada. During his years in office, which continued from 1878 to 1891 , Canada expanded territorially and experienced growth in its economy, its internal communications, and its sense of national purpose.