Collection search - Arthur Meighen fonds [textual record]
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Arthur Meighen fonds [textual record]
Hierarchical level:FondsContext of this record:Fonds includes:8 lower level description(s)View lower level description(s) -
Finding aid Textual records (Microform) The finding aid consists of a file list by series including a microfilm conversion list. The finding aid is also available on microfilm reel C-4236. Indexes for volumes 1-246 are available on microfilm, reels C-4830 to C-4835. They consist of nominal (reels C-4830 to C-4831) subject (reels C-4831 to C-4833) and chronological indexes (C-4834 to C-4835). This index is available on the Prime Ministers CD-ROM. The subject list used in indexing the papers is available on reel C-4650. MSS0106 (90: Open)
http://data2.archives.ca/pdf/pdf001/p000002544.pdfTextual records: (Electronic) Finding aid; file list, vols. 1 to 273; MSS0106
http://data2.archives.ca/pdf/pdf001/p000000028.pdf(Electronic) All or some of the documents described have been digitized and are available at the following address: (90: Open)
http://heritage.canadiana.ca/view/oocihm.lac_mikan_105115 -
Record information Arthur Meighen fonds [textual record]
Date:1878-1974.Reference:R14423-0-6-E, MG26-IType of material:Textual materialFound in:Archives / Collections and FondsItem ID number:105115Date(s):1878-1974.Bilingual equivalent:Place of creation:No place, unknown, or undeterminedExtent:27.6 m of textual records.Language of material:EnglishScope and content:The Meighen fonds is far from complete and there are a number of important gaps. There is little material (vol. 273) relating to his career before 1917. For the period 1917 to 1920, there is comparatively little regarding federal politics, including the federal election of 1917, war-time legislation and the policies and personnel of the Union Government. The period 1920 to 1926 is covered in considerable detail. The papers largely consist of correspondence with approximately 70 percent of the correspondence for the 1920 to 1926 period. Also included are papers relating to personal finances, 1878-1945 and letters from Arthur Meighen to his son, T.R. Meighen, 1923-1953.Provenance:Additional name(s):Biography/Administrative history:Meighen, Arthur, 1874-1960 : Prime Minister of Canada (1920-21, 1926).
Arthur Meighen was born in Perth County, Ontario on 16 June 1874. He studied mathematics at the University of Toronto and law at Osgoode Hall before moving to Manitoba.
Meighen was elected to parliament as a Conservative for the riding of Portage la Prairie in 1908. Under Prime Minister Sir Robert Borden, he served as solicitor general (1913-17), minister of mines (1917 & 1919-20), secretary of state (1917), minister of the interior (1917-20) and superintendent of Indian affairs (1917-20).
As a minister, Meighen oversaw the introduction of military conscription in 1917, the creation of the Canadian National Railway, the suppression of the 1919 Winnipeg General Strike and the criminalisation of membership in 'seditious' organisations.
Meighen succeeded Borden as prime minister in July 1920. Internationally, he opposed the renewal of the Anglo-Japanese alliance and advocated for tariffs at home. The Conservatives were defeated in the December 1921 election. Meighen lost his own seat, but was soon elected for the riding of Grenville.
Meighen won the plurality of seats in the October 1925 election, though the Liberals retained power with the Progressive Party's support until a scandal brought it down in June 1926. Rather than call an election, the Governor General invited Meighen to form a government, which fell on a motion of confidence after only three days. When the Liberals won the September election, Meighen resigned and practiced law in Toronto.
Prime Minister Richard B. Bennett appointed Meighen to the Senate in 1932 as leader of the government and minister without portfolio. Meighen became leader of the Conservative Party for a second time in November 1941. He resigned from the Senate, but was defeated in a by-election in the riding of York South. He resigned the leadership in December.
In 1904, Meighen married Isabel Cox. He died at Toronto on 5 August 1960, and was buried in St. Mary's, Ontario.
As a minister, Meighen endorsed the federal government's systematically racist relationship with Indigenous Peoples, which caused tremendous ongoing trauma, displacement, disenfranchisement and exclusion. Specifically, a 1918 amendment to the Indian Act gave the government unilateral powers to take reserve lands and funds without the consent of First Nations and lease the land to settlers for farming. A 1920 amendment made attendance at Day or Residential Schools compulsory and increased the government's powers over enfranchisement and the status of First Nations women.
The Government of Canada has officially apologised for actions taken under Meighen's authority. The Prime Minister at the time apologised for Indian Residential Schools in 2008 and 2017.Additional information:General note:The Meighen papers were received in 1951. Additional items were received in 1960 from the Meighen estate, in 1962 from Professor W.R. Graham, in 1965 from Maxwell Meighen, in 1973 from Elsie Thoms (vol. 273, file 1) and in 1991 from Margaret de Lancey Molson (vol. 273, files 3-37).Availability of other formats note:Volumes 1-272 of the Meighen paper are available on 144 reels of microfilm, reels C-3214 to C-3230; C-3428 to C-3464; C-3466 to C-3479; C-3550 to C-3601; C-4160 to C-4184.Subject heading:- Canada - Officials and employees
- Canada. Parliament - Elections, 1925
- Cabinet ministers - Canada, 1920-1921, 1926 Canada. Dept. of the Interior, 1917-1920
- War, Declaration of, 1914 Canada. Dept. of Indian Affairs, 1917-1920
- Canada - Foreign relations, 1920-1921 Canada. Prime Minister, 1920-1921, 1926
- Railroads - Canada, 1920-1922, 1926 Conservative Party of Canada, 1908-1942
- Elections - Canada, 1921-1926 Canada. Dept. of Mines, 1917
- Political parties - Canada - Provinces, 1922-1926 Canada. Parliament. Senate, 1932-1942
- Tariff - Canada, 1922-1926 James Fewings, 1925
- Arthur Meighen - Finance, Personal, 1878-1945 Harold Daly, 1938-1958
- Mines and mineral resources - Canada, 1917 T.R. Meighen, 1923-1953
- Political leadership - Canada, 1908-1954 Winston Churchill, 1921
- Canada. Parliament - Elections, 1921 Louis St-Laurent, 1943
- Canada. Parliament - Elections, 1926
- Tariff - Canada, 1922-1926
- Political oratory - Canada, [19-]
- Investments, 1878-1945
- Canada 20th century
- Politicians Canada
Source:PrivateFormer archival reference no.:MG26-I -
Ordering and viewing options Conditions of access:Textual records[Consultation Open]Finding aid box [FA 106][Consultation Closed]19;[Consultation Closed]192--205;[Consultation Closed]Microfilm reel[Consultation Open]C-4236;[Consultation Open]C-4830--C-4835;[Consultation Open]Terms of use:Volumes 1-272 (originals) have been withdrawn from circulation. Researchers must use the microfilm.You can order materials in advance to be ready for you when you visit. You will need a user card to do this.
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