Handwritten formal reply by William Lyon Mackenzie King dated May [illegible], 1943, to an invitation from Mr. and Mrs. A.H. Thomas to the wedding of their daughter Kathleen Marion to Mr. Arthur Macdougall King on May 20, 1943 at Trinity College Chapel, Toronto.

One informal group portrait taken outdoors, location and occasion unidentified. William Lyon Mackenzie King is standing third from the right; to his right are his nephew Arthur King and Arthur’s wife Kathleen King. Three females and two males are unidentified. The location appears to be a wooded area, with tents.

Engraved calling card: "Mr. W.L. Mackenzie King, Laurier House, Ottawa, Canada," inscribed in King's handwriting to Miss Kathleen M. Thomas on December 24, 1942: "So many thanks for your beautiful card of Christmas greetings. My very best of wishes to you for the New Year. So kind of you to have had me in your thoughts at this season. Again, my very best of wishes to you. WLMK 24-Dec-42."

Typewritten letter from William Lyon Mackenzie King to his nephew Arthur King on December 22, 1942. Arthur has apparently had pneumonia and King offers recovery advice, including a check-up by Arthur’s uncle Dr. Harold Wookey. King includes detailed suggestions for a proposed overnight stay at Laurier House on an unspecified date. King sends Christmas wishes through Arthur to Arthur’s fiancée Kathleen Thomas and to Mr. and Mrs. Rean (Arthur's brother Lyon’s in-laws) in Toronto.
King describes in detail the portrait he has had taken by Yousef Karsh as a Christmas gift to all family members, “which has a very special interest.” King describes the location of the portrait as the library at Laurier House, describes the significance of the table and the significance of some of the objects placed on it. He adds “there are other features of special interest of which I shall have to tell you at some future time.” King enlarges on his reasons for self-documentation at this particular time: “One can never say how long one may continue to be in office. This picture, being taken at a time of war, and signed by myself while in office as Prime Minister, will make it, I am sure, an acceptable gift to you.”
Salutation: “My Dear Arthur” [handwritten]; Signature: “With lots of love, Yours affectionately, Uncle Willie" [handwritten].
Includes handwritten corrections.

One sepia portrait of William Lyon Mackenzie King standing on the steps to Laurier House, Ottawa. This photograph is pasted on a mount that is printed as a Christmas greeting: “With the Season’s Greetings, W.L. Mackenzie King, Laurier House, Ottawa, Christmas 1938. This photograph was found in a red photograph holder produced as a souvenir of the “Normandie Roof” on top of the Mount Royal Hotel, Montreal, Quebec and probably meant to hold a photograph of the three people who have autographed and dated the back cover “Dec. 26/46”: “Best Wishes [illegible] Happy New Year! A.M. King Best of the Season- Walter.”

Clipping contains a news story by Betty Caldwell about May Macdougall King of Denver, Colorado, sister-in-law of William Lyon Mackenzie King, and her reactions to his election as Prime Minister of Canada on June 11, 1945 Includes a portrait of Mrs. King.

Typewritten letter from William Lyon Mackenzie King to his nephew Arthur King on July 27, 1934. King advises Arthur, having heard that he had to give up on a course because of chicken-pox, to put his health ahead of everything else in order to fully recuperate. King reports on the “gratifying” election results in Ontario and Saskatchewan, and anticipates a general election. King reports that the past winter’s arthritis has disappeared, also that he has been to Williamsburg to see Dr. Locke[1] and is wearing Locke shoes [for fallen arches]. In regard to his nephews’ chosen professions of medicine and engineering, King says “The service which can be rendered the world through electrical development has become more apparent in our age than in all the centuries of the past, and I believe that we are only at the beginning of discoveries in that field which will revolutionize the thought, as well as the daily life and habits of the people. “
Salutation: “My dear Arthur”; Signature: none [all after p. 4 missing].

Clipping features portraits of eleven individuals descended from William Lyon Mackenzie, Toronto’s first mayor, from the King, Lindsey and Lay families.

Typewritten letter from William Lyon Mackenzie King to his nephew Arthur King on February 15, 1932, with congratulations on his results in the first quarter of university. He expands on the necessity of knowing one’s subject thoroughly, even if it takes longer. He references his brother Dougall Macdougall King's book on Nerves and Personal Power, and advises “Nature has no short cuts in anything; she never hastens, but also she never rests. It is the steady careful work which counts for most in the end.” King advises Arthur to concentrate on doing his best to complete his first year before thinking of any other possible activities.
Salutation: “My dear Arthur”; Signature: “Yours Affectionately, Uncle Willie.” [“Uncle Willie handwritten.]

Typewritten letter from William Lyon Mackenzie King to his nephew Arthur King on December 19, 1931 in reply to one sent by Arthur from Boulder, Colorado. King expresses his pleasure at Arthur’s enjoyment of life at university and expands on the importance of character as the most important ingredient in success. He expresses his approval of electrical engineering as Arthur’s course of study. His Christmas gift to the family will be a sum of money to draw on through the year as needed, as well as individual sums.
Salutation [handwritten]: “My Dear Arthur”; Signature: “Your loving uncle, Willie.” [“Willie” handwritten]
Includes handwritten corrections.

Handwritten letter from William Lyon Mackenzie King to his nephew Arthur King on December 28, 1930, thanking him for the gift of a book on science, but especially for the greeting card meant for “Pat” [WLMK’s dog] as well as for himself. “I am glad you remembered Pat, for I know he often thinks of you, and I am sure he sensed in your card some note of friendliness towards himself on the part of Tatters also.” King says he will enjoy reading Science and that “the discoveries of science are revolutionizing modern thought, as well as practices, in a number of directions. He then mentions Eddington and Jeans [1] and hopes that “someday I hope you will come to view things as they do. They seem to catch glimpses of the great unseen universe much more profound than those of most scientific writers of our day. King then mentions Evelyn Underhill [2] and her book The Life of the Spirit and the Life of Today that also “gives glimpses of much that lies beyond the revelations of science.” King mentions that he has had correspondence with Arthur’s brother Lyon, and invites Arthur to write on any topics that interest him.
Salutation: “My dear Arthur”; Signature: “Your loving uncle, Willie.”

Typewritten letter from William Lyon Mackenzie King to his nephew Arthur King on August 28, 1929 in reply to letters received from both Arthur and Lyon after a trip from Denver to Ontario to visit family. In it King states that a letter of thanks is as good as a gift (proposed by Lyon for Aunt Jennie), reminds them to tip the maid at Aunt Jennie’s, envies them their trip to Niagara, and ends by saying he is sending the letter ahead of them to Denver.
Salutation: “My Dear Arthur” [handwritten]; Signature: “Yours affectionately, Uncle Willie" handwritten].
Includes one handwritten correction.

Handwritten letter from William Lyon Mackenzie King to his nephew Arthur King on December 18, 1927. King sends wishes of the season, says he has heard from Santa Claus that neither nephew wants a single present but several smaller ones such as, in Arthur’s case, an archery target, radio tubes and batteries. King says he will send a bank draft that ought to cover the presents plus extra and asks Arthur to write and say what he has purchased. He also indicates that he is sending a sum to Arthur’s mother to use for Christmas, the “I want to do that for Daddy.” [Daddy?]
Salutation: “My dear Arthur”; Signature: “Your loving uncle, Willie.”

Handwritten letter from William Lyon Mackenzie King to his nephew Arthur King on December 20, 1925. King sends wishes of the season, tells Arthur to write about his presents and “all the happiness of the day, and also about what you are reading and most thinking of, and what you have decided to be when you grow up.” He notes that Arthur had been in hospital with a broken arm the Christmas before and hopes it is better.
Salutation: “My dear Arthur”; Signature: “Your loving uncle, Willie.”

Typewritten letter from William Lyon Mackenzie King to his nephew Arthur King on February 23, 1924. King thanks Arthur for a sending him a typewritten letter, congratulates him on his typing skill, apologizes for brief acknowledgement and sends love to Arthur’s brother Lyon and to his mother.

Series consists of correspondence from William Lyon Mackenzie King to his nephew Arthur King, also to Arthur's wife Kathleen Marion King, written between January 8, 1923 and July 5, 1950. Although Mackenzie King's first letters are directed towards the interests of a growing boy, over the years he stays involved in Arthur's progress through school, university and ultimately in the workplace. He mentions his own activities although often not in detail, sends thank you letters and holiday greetings. He gives Arthur advice on his career, mentions books of interest, and talks about politics, friends, family and visitors to Kingsmere.
Arranged chronologically.

Handwritten letter from William Lyon Mackenzie King to his nephew Arthur King on January 8, 1923. King sends wishes of the season, thanks Arthur and his brother Lyon for the gift of a belt for Christmas and reminisces about his own childhood Christmases. Salutation: “Dear Arthur”; Signature: "Ever your loving uncle, Willie.”

Framed black and white photographic print of the portrait of Isabel King painted by J.W.L. Forster in 1905. This was Mackenzie King’s favourite image of his mother: it still hangs in Laurier House where he placed it. This copy would appear to have belonged to Dougall Macdougall “Max” King and may have been sent to him by Mackenzie King. An earlier portrait of Isabel King was done by Forster in 1901 and in his diary Mackenzie King expresses his dissatisfaction and describes the portrait he would like to see : “ I am sorry in a way however, that it is not taken more as a photo we have of mother sitting in a chair & looking down at a book, the Mother’s face.” [1]

Print of the portrait of Isabel King painted by J.W.L. Forster in 1905, in a photographer’s tri-folder embossed: “Topley, Ottawa.

Series consists of a single object, a suit of cashmere and wool undergarments owned and worn by William Lyon Mackenzie King.

One set of men's Jaeger beige cashmere and wool underwear, size 42, belonging to William Lyon Mackenzie King, consisting of of a jersey-knit shirt and a pair of bottoms. The shirt has three buttons with button placket reinforced with woven material. Mackenzie King's Initials “W.L.M.K.” are embroidered in red on the front right bottom above the ribbing. The shirt has a white woven label with red letters at centre inside back neck: “Jaeger, Pure Cashmere & Wool, Made in Gt. Britain.” The bottoms close with a three-button fly and have a lace-up gusset at centre back. The waistband and fly are reinforced inside with woven material; the gusset has two sets of embroidered eyelets laced with a white ribbon. Two sets of horizontal double loops made of woven fabric are sewn down outside at the waist on either side of the fly, possibly for attaching to the shirt. The T. Eaton Co. catalogue of 1920-1921 describes these as “brace loops.”[1] There is evidence of something having been sewn above the shirt ribbing, front left side, as thread knots remain. The bottoms have a white woven label, inside centre back, with red letters. The word “Jaeger” is at the centre of a diamond shape bearing text on all four sides: “Health & Comfort, Warrented Pure Wool.” Below the diamond is a ribbon shape bearing text: “Patent Unshrinkable Process,” and below this on the bottom edges is: “Made in Gt. Britain.”

One black and white snapshot of William Lyon Mackenzie King seated at a desk indoors, probably at Kingsmere.[1]

One black and white snapshot of Isabel King in the garden at Kingsmere, seated in a chair with her feet on a box or block.

Eight snapshots taken during Isabel and William Lyon Mackenzie King’s trip to Denver, Colorado, where Isabel was to stay for a time with her son Dougall Macdougall King, his wife May and their twin sons Arthur and Lyon. The first six snapshots are of family groups taken at the entrance steps of 928 Olive St., Denver, where Dougall had set up his medical practice. His plaque can be seen to the left of the doorway. 1. Left to right: May, Arthur, Isabel, Lyon (seated) and Dougall Macdougall King (standing). - 2. Left to right: Isabel and Dougall Macdougall King (seated). – 3. Left to right: Arthur, Isabel and Lyon King (all seated). – 4. Left to right: William Lyon Mackenzie King (standing), Dougall Macdougall King (seated). – 5. Left to right: William Lyon Mackenzie King, Isabel King, Dougall Macdougall King (all seated). – 6. Left to right: Lyon King, William Lyon Mackenzie King, Arthur King. – 7. Picnic in unidentified location. Left to right: possibly Isabel King in widow’s weeds, possibly Mae King, unidentified female, unidentified male. – 8. Left to right: Isabel King in widow’s weeds, William Lyon Mackenzie King, standing beside river. The latter two may have been taken at Welborn Farm (letter Willie to Jennie Sept 16, 1916. He writes that he has left Isabel at Max and May’s and has gone to stay at Welborn’s farm: “ they are all coming out to dinner with us here tomorrow.”)[1]

One black and white snapshot of John King lying in bed, both eyes bandaged, hands clasped, dated on verso: June 1915..

One black and white snapshot of Isabel King (left) and May King (right) outside a house in an unidentified location. Inscribed on verso in an unidentified hand: “Mrs. King, mother of WML King and of Macdougall King, poss. With May King.”

One black and white snapshot of Isabel King (right) and May King (left) outside a house in an unidentified location. Inscribed on verso in an unidentified hand: “Mrs. King, mother of Willie & Mac King and Mac’s wife May.”

One black and white snapshot of John King at Kingsmere, wearing a bathrobe, with trees and lake in background. Inscribed on verso in an unidentified hand: “Father King goes down to swim.”

One black and white snapshot taken outside 4 Grange Road in Toronto: Left to right: Jennie Lindsey Lay, Isabel King (behind), Harry Morrison Lay, Bella King (all seated). Except for Isabel King, all identifications are conjectural.

One black and white snapshot of a group of people at Kingsmere, taken outside: William Lyon Mackenzie King is standing on the right with a camera in his hand; three unidentified men stand to his right. Isabel King and two unidentified females are seated in the grass.

Collection consists of material relating to William Lyon Mackenzie King from the estates of his brother Dougall Macdougall “Max” King and of his nephew (Dougall’s son) Arthur Macdougall King. Its major component is correspondence from Mackenzie King to Arthur King and also to Arthur’s wife Kathleen, over a period of twenty-seven years from 1923 to 1950.The first letter is dated 1923, a scant three years after the death of Max King, when Arthur and his twin brother Lyon were 10 years old and the last in the series is dated July 5, 1950. The collection also contains documents and ephemera relating to King’s death, funeral and will, received by Arthur King as a participant in those events; also present are issues of major Ontario newspapers that covered Mackenzie King's death and funeral as events unfolded day-by-day. A small selection of photographs, some formal and some snapshots, are also present. A selection of books retained by the family, among them works written and presented by John King and Dougall Macdougall King, also works owned by Mackenzie King as a boy, present a tangible reminder of the intellectual legacy of the King family.

Series consists of photographs of William Lyon Mackenzie King, his family and friends. Includes formal and informal portraits as well as snapshots taken in Toronto, Ottawa, Denver and Kingsmere.
Arranged in chronological order.

One formal posed studio portrait of the John King Family of Berlin, Ontario, ca. 1885.
Front row, seated, left to right: Isabel King, Janet Lindsey King, John King, Dougall Macdougall King [seated in front], William Lyon Mackenzie King.
Back Row, left to right: one unidentified boy, two unidentified young men, Bella King.

Typewritten letter from William Lyon Mackenzie King to his nephew Arthur on May 25, 1950. King is happy that Arthur and his wife Kathleen did after all attend the dinner and speech by Mr. Brockington, that they had a chance to speak with Brockington, and encloses a cheque to pay the cost of the tickets [not present]. King reports that he has been out for one or two drives and that he will soon be going to Kingsmere. He mentions his own poor health and asks after Arthur's health.
Salutation: "My dear Arthur" [handwritten]; Signature: "Yours affectionately, Uncle Willie" [handwritten].

Six engraved calling cards from William Lyon Mackenzie King to his nephew Arthur and Arthur's wife Kathleen, four of them dated and inscribed in Mackenzie King's handwriting, probably as accompaniments to letters or gifts.
Envelope inscribed “Mr. and Mrs. Arthur King” in Mackenzie King's handwriting.