A Descent Into Delirium

He may have been the man who did nothing normal but historians and political scientists consistently vote for William Lyon Mackenzie King as Canada's greatest prime minister. He was either the most brilliant Canadian politician of the 20th century or what one historian called "a certifiable nut!" He kept Canada united through challenging times. Some of his accomplishments included Canadian independence in foreign affairs from the British in the 1920s. Canada's economic recovery from the Great Depression, with the Canadian welfare programs, was followed by his brilliant leadership during WWII, before helping to bring Newfoundland into Confederation in 1949.

Mackenzie King's "very double life" included his fascinating spiritualist and occult beliefs, such as having conversations with his long-dead mother, other relatives, and random historical figures, as well as his obsession with his three Irish Terriers, all named Pat. He was also obsessed with numbers, clock hands, reincarnation, tea leaf readings, astrology, and mental telepathy, while constructing the most bizarre set of fake stone ruins and examining shaving cream soap to predict his day.

The more controversial aspect of Mackenzie King's government was a complete ban on Asian immigration from 1923 to 1948, as well as the WWII Japanese Internment Camps and his refusal of Jewish refugees in the late 1930s. Despite these relatively few blemishes, Mackenzie King made very few mistakes over his 22 years in office, which are criticized today.

Under the guidance and leadership of Mackenzie King, Canada would exert a greater influence on the world stage in the second half of the 20th century under the leadership of St. Laurent, Pearson, and P.E. Trudeau, who built upon Mackenzie King's legacy.

So, get ready to dive into the "exceedingly eccentric" "descent into delirium" that is the weirdo world of the Rt. Hon. William Lyon Mackenzie King!