Archives Search

Title

Fonds consists of

15 lower level description(s)

Arrangement structure

Show Arrangement Structure

Accession

1. Wilfrid Laurier fonds [textual record]
2. Fonds Wilfrid Laurier [documents textuels]
3. Wilfrid Laurier fonds [textual record] (122-020120-0)
4. Sir Wilfrid Laurier collection [graphic material]

Bilingual equivalent

Fonds Sir Wilfrid Laurier [document textuel (quelques microformes), document iconographique]

Date(s)

1800-1941

Place of creation

No place, unknown, or undetermined

Extent

62.82 m of textual records.
4 microfilm reels.
146 photographs : b&w.
38 medallic objects : bronze and silver.

Scope and content

The Wilfrid Laurier fonds documents his political career and includes correspondence, notes and memoranda, printed matter and addresses. There are also personal papers concerning finances, and family papers concerning Laurier's grandfather Charles, his father Carolus, his wife Zoé Lafontaine and his nephews. Additional papers include documents from Laurier's secretary Yvonne Coutu, documents concerning the Centenary of Laurier's birth at St-Lin, a letter from Lord Aberdeen, 1896-1897 and a letter from Lady Aberdeen, 1898. Photographic series consist of depictions of Sir Wilfrid and Lady Laurier as well as other prominent individuals during Laurier's time as well as depictions of Laurier's house in Arthabaska, Quebec, monuments, official visits to various cities and Laurier's funeral cortege. Medallic series consists of medallic items awarded to or acquired by Sir Wilfrid Laurier during his political career, mostly received while Prime Minister of Canada.

Conditions of access

Terms of use

The original documents in Volumes 1 through 791M have been withdrawn from circulation. The material is available on 205 reels of microfilm. Photocopies (copyflo) have also been prepared from the microfilm. Researchers are requested to use either the microfilm or the photocopies.
Photographic accession no. 1960-075: Material is closed. the National Archives of canada does not provide copies; copies must be obtained from the holder of the originals. Copyright expired. Credit: name of photograph / National Archives of Canada / copy negative number.
All other photographs: No restrictions on use. Copyright expired. Credit: name of photographer / National Archives of Canada / copy negative number.
Medallic items: No restrictions on use. Copyright expired. Credit: National Archives of Canada.

Finding aid

Textual records Finding Aid No. 0091 has five parts. The first part contains a box/file list for all 1036 volumes of the papers. It also includes a microfilm conversion list and an item listing for the correspondence in Volumes 814A and 814B. The second part is an author index which contains references to more than 15,000 names for the first 757 volumes and volumes 791A to 791M. This index identifies the author, subject, date and page number of each letter. The author index is available on microfilm (reels C-1606 to C-1608) and on the Prime Ministers CD-Rom. The third part is a subject index for the same volumes which gives only the most significant subjects and page numbers. The subject index is available on microfilm reel C-1158. The fourth part is a chronological guide for volumes 1-757, 791A-791M, available on microfilm reels C-15740 to C-15748. This index gives the date, author, subject and page numbers for each letter. The fifth part consists of annual and alphabetical lists of correspondents from the series related to Patronage (volumes 833-1006). MSS0091 90 (Paper)

Textual records The electronic copy of the finding aid starts at volume 813. MSS0091 90 (Electronic)
http://data2.archives.ca/pdf/pdf001/p000000023.pdf

Creator / Provenance

Laurier, Wilfrid, 1841-1919. Sir,

Additional name(s)

Blake, Edward, 1833-1912.
Victoria, Queen of Great Britain, 1819-1901
Victoria, reine de Grande-Bretagne, 1819-1901
Laurier, Carolus.

Biography / Administrative history

Prime Minister of Canada

Wilfrid Laurier was born at St-Lin, Quebec. He attended l'Assomption College and McGill University. He practised law in Montreal from 1864 to 1866 and in Arthabaska from 1867 to 1896. A radical Liberal in his early years, Laurier was a member of L'Institut Canadien and editor of a liberal newspaper "Le Défricheur", 1866-1867.

Laurier was never actively engaged in business but he held directorships in a few companies including the Royal Mutual Life Insurance Company and the Ontario Mutual Life Insurance Company. He married Zoé Lafontaine in 1868; they had no children.

In 1871, Laurier was elected to the Quebec Legislative Assembly, representing Drummond-Arthabaska. In 1874, he resigned his seat and was elected to represent the same constituency in the House of Commons. Defeated in a by-election in 1877 when he was appointed to the Cabinet, Laurier won a seat in Quebec East which he represented continuously until his death forty-two years later. In 1887 he became leader of the Liberal Party. He was Prime Minister of Canada from 11 July 1896 to 9 October 1911. This was a period of prosperity and important national development. After his defeat as Prime Minister in 1911, Laurier remained leader of the Liberal Party until his death on 17 February 1919.

Additional information

Subject heading

1. Prime ministers - Canada - Spouses, 1899-1921
2. Lord Aberdeen, 1896-1897.
3. Prime ministers - Canada - Family, 1800-1930, 1847-1858
4. Lady Aberdeen, 1898.
5. Prime ministers - Canada - Finance, Personal, 1896-1919
6. Zoé Lafontaine Laurier, 1899-1921.
7. Prime ministers - Canada - Death, 1919
8. Canada. Prime Minister (Laurier : 1896-1911)
9. Prime ministers - Canada - Correspondence, 1871-1911, 1872-1878
10. Liberal Party of Canada, 1887.
11. Prime ministers - Canada - Staff, 1891-1941
12. Lord Grey, 1904-1911.
13. Imperial Conference, 1907
14. Melvina Laurier, 1847-1858.
15. Imperial Conference (London, England), 1911
16. Charles Laurier, 1800-1844.
17. Colonial Conference, 1897
18. Yvonne Coutu, 1891-1941.
19. Campaign literature, [1875-1916]
20. Canada - Foreign relations, 1898-1911.
21. Governors general - Canada - Correspondence, 1887.
22. North West Autonomy, 1901-1905.
23. Autonomy, 1901-1905.
24. Political parties - Canada, 1887.
25. Colonial Conference, 1907.
26. Colonial Conference, 1911.
27. Blake, Edward,
28. Diamond Jubilee, 1897 .
29. Victoria,
30. Anniversaires, etc., 1897.
31. Politics and government
32. Canada
33. Laurier, Carolus.
34. Politicians
35. Canada.

Source

Private

Other system control no.

MAINS15820

Related control no.

1. 1932-376 PIC
2. 122-020120-0

MIKAN no.

98120