Lady Agnes Macdonald is considered to be one of the Mothers of Confederation.
She was the second wife of Canada's first prime minister, Sir John A. Macdonald. The couple married on the eve of Confederation (16 February 1867). As the first prime minister's wife, Lady Macdonald set the standard for the 19th-century ideal of womanly behaviour — one that was devoutly religious, dedicated to family and committed to various good works in the community.
Lady Macdonald was also expected to support her husband's political career by hosting social events and dinner parties for his colleagues, and adopting his "pursuits & occupations" (Lady Macdonald, 7 July 1867). Evidence suggests that she did not find social events easy or enjoyable, but was far more comfortable in the Ladies' Gallery in the House of Commons. There she was known for transmitting messages to her husband using sign language for the deaf, or railing against his political opponents. Following a particularly heated debate during the 1878 session, Prime Minister Alexander Mackenzie observed a rather unseemly outburst when, "Lady Macdonald in the gallery, like the Queen of the day, stamped her foot and exclaimed 'Did ever any person see such tactics!!'"
Lady Agnes could not vote or hold office, and therefore could not directly contribute to the political processes and policies that created the Dominion of Canada. But she was an informed and engaged observer of her world, and recorded her insights and experiences in her diary and her published travel and political sketches.
From (2015). Mothers of Confederation. In The Canadian Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/mothers-of-confederation
Contributor: Antony Caruso
She was the second wife of Canada's first prime minister, Sir John A. Macdonald. The couple married on the eve of Confederation (16 February 1867). As the first prime minister's wife, Lady Macdonald set the standard for the 19th-century ideal of womanly behaviour — one that was devoutly religious, dedicated to family and committed to various good works in the community.
Lady Macdonald was also expected to support her husband's political career by hosting social events and dinner parties for his colleagues, and adopting his "pursuits & occupations" (Lady Macdonald, 7 July 1867). Evidence suggests that she did not find social events easy or enjoyable, but was far more comfortable in the Ladies' Gallery in the House of Commons. There she was known for transmitting messages to her husband using sign language for the deaf, or railing against his political opponents. Following a particularly heated debate during the 1878 session, Prime Minister Alexander Mackenzie observed a rather unseemly outburst when, "Lady Macdonald in the gallery, like the Queen of the day, stamped her foot and exclaimed 'Did ever any person see such tactics!!'"
Lady Agnes could not vote or hold office, and therefore could not directly contribute to the political processes and policies that created the Dominion of Canada. But she was an informed and engaged observer of her world, and recorded her insights and experiences in her diary and her published travel and political sketches.
From (2015). Mothers of Confederation. In The Canadian Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/mothers-of-confederation
Contributor: Antony Caruso
Lady Agnes Macdonald is considered to be one of the Mothers of Confederation.
She was the second wife of Canada's first prime minister, Sir John A. Macdonald. The couple married on the eve of Confederation (16 February 1867). As the first prime minister's wife, Lady Macdonald set the standard for the 19th-century ideal of womanly behaviour — one that was devoutly religious, dedicated to family and committed to various good works in the community.
Lady Macdonald was also expected to support her husband's political career by hosting social events and dinner parties for his colleagues, and adopting his "pursuits & occupations" (Lady Macdonald, 7 July 1867). Evidence suggests that she did not find social events easy or enjoyable, but was far more comfortable in the Ladies' Gallery in the House of Commons. There she was known for transmitting messages to her husband using sign language for the deaf, or railing against his political opponents. Following a particularly heated debate during the 1878 session, Prime Minister Alexander Mackenzie observed a rather unseemly outburst when, "Lady Macdonald in the gallery, like the Queen of the day, stamped her foot and exclaimed 'Did ever any person see such tactics!!'"
Lady Agnes could not vote or hold office, and therefore could not directly contribute to the political processes and policies that created the Dominion of Canada. But she was an informed and engaged observer of her world, and recorded her insights and experiences in her diary and her published travel and political sketches.
From (2015). Mothers of Confederation. In The Canadian Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/mothers-of-confederation
Contributor: Antony Caruso
She was the second wife of Canada's first prime minister, Sir John A. Macdonald. The couple married on the eve of Confederation (16 February 1867). As the first prime minister's wife, Lady Macdonald set the standard for the 19th-century ideal of womanly behaviour — one that was devoutly religious, dedicated to family and committed to various good works in the community.
Lady Macdonald was also expected to support her husband's political career by hosting social events and dinner parties for his colleagues, and adopting his "pursuits & occupations" (Lady Macdonald, 7 July 1867). Evidence suggests that she did not find social events easy or enjoyable, but was far more comfortable in the Ladies' Gallery in the House of Commons. There she was known for transmitting messages to her husband using sign language for the deaf, or railing against his political opponents. Following a particularly heated debate during the 1878 session, Prime Minister Alexander Mackenzie observed a rather unseemly outburst when, "Lady Macdonald in the gallery, like the Queen of the day, stamped her foot and exclaimed 'Did ever any person see such tactics!!'"
Lady Agnes could not vote or hold office, and therefore could not directly contribute to the political processes and policies that created the Dominion of Canada. But she was an informed and engaged observer of her world, and recorded her insights and experiences in her diary and her published travel and political sketches.
From (2015). Mothers of Confederation. In The Canadian Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/mothers-of-confederation
Contributor: Antony Caruso
Inscription
In loving memory of
Susan Agnes / Baroness Macdonald / of Earnscliffe
Widow of / Sir John Macdonald / Late Prime Minister of Canada
Died at Eastbourne 5th September 1920 / Aged 84
"Jesu Lover of my soul / Let me to thy Bosom fly"
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