William Lyon Mackenzie

William Lyon Mackenzie was a Scottish-born Canadian-American journalist and politician, known for his leadership in the Reform movement and his role in the Upper Canada Rebellion. He was born on March 12, 1795, in Dundee, Scotland, and emigrated to Upper Canada in 1820. Mackenzie founded newspapers critical of the Family Compact and represented York County in the Legislative Assembly of Upper Canada, aligning with Reformers. He led the rebels in the Upper Canada Rebellion and, after its defeat, sought American support for an invasion of Upper Canada as part of the Patriot War. Despite his popularity for criticizing government officials, he failed to implement most of his policy objectives. Mackenzie is remembered as one of the most significant Reformers of the early 19th century.