Typewritten letter from William Lyon Mackenzie King to his nephew Arthur and his wife Kathleen on December 21, 1947, thanking them for their letters of “love and best wishes” for his 73rd birthday. He blames his current lack of communication on “how very strenuous the pace has been. I doubt if ever in my life I have had so much ground to cover, or been as active and busy as I have. “ He then notes “It has all been a kind of ‘grand finale’ to my many years in public life, and which in the nature of things, cannot be expected to continue much longer.” King explains that he has had no time to select a Christmas gift and so has instead enclosed a “Bank Money Order” to be used for something for their home “as coming from me; something that may serve to remind you at all times of my love and abiding affection for you both.”
Salutation: “Dear Arthur and Kathleen” [handwritten; Signature: “Again, with fondest love and best of wishes, Yours affectionately, Uncle Willie” [handwritten].
Includes handwritten corrections.
Includes enclosure: empty Christmas money-holder card, 16 x 8 cm folded. Inscribed in King’s hand: “To Arthur and Kathleen With love and all good wishes for Christmas and the new year from Uncle Willie, Xmas 1947."

Typewritten letter marked "Personal" from William Lyon Mackenzie King to his nephew Arthur on August 18, 1947, thanking him and his wife Kathleen for their “charming little letter” on the death of King’s dog Pat, and noting “Naturally I feel his loss very much.” King expresses hope of seeing Arthur and Kathleen when he is “up at the Exhibition” [1] and gives details of his busy schedule during the days of his visit. Although he will not be able to visit them at home he has asked that they be sent tickets to the garden party being given by the Lieutenant Governor the Honourable Ray Lawson in the hopes that they may meet each other. King asks if Arthur remembers going with him and his brother Lyon to the opening of the Exhibition “the last time I was there. I think that was just twenty years ago.”
King asks about the vitamin supply.
Salutation: “My dear Arthur” [typewritten]; Signature: “With fondest love to you and Kathleen, Yours affectionately , Uncle Willie” [handwritten].
Includes handwritten corrections.

Typewritten letter from William Lyon Mackenzie King to his nephew Arthur on August 2, 1947, responding to one just received, containing news of a holiday in Muskoka, and confirming receipt of fruit knives and forks with “precious associations” sent to Arthur and his wife Kathleen by Mackenzie King and his sister Jennie.
King thanks Arthur and Kathleen for their earlier letter of congratulations on achieving twenty years as Prime Minister. He describes the unveiling of his own and Sir Robert Borden’s portraits by Lord Alexander and mentions the presence of President Harry Truman. He declares his intent to send Arthur and Kathleen copies of Hansard of June 10 and 11 containing congratulations to himself, speeches made at the unveiling, and President Truman’s address to both Houses of Parliament.
King asks about the vitamin supply, and gives news about Mr. Handy’s son’s health.
Salutation: “My dear Arthur” [typewritten]; Signature: “With love to you and Kathleen, Yours affectionately, Uncle Willie” [handwritten.]

Telegram from William Lyon Mackenzie King to his nephew Arthur King on June 20, 1947, informing him of the following day’s radio broadcast of President Harry Truman’s speech to Parliament. [1]
Salutation: none; Signature: “Love and all good wishes=W L Mackenzie King.”

Telegram from William Lyon Mackenzie King to his nephew Arthur King and his wife Kathleen on April 4, 1947, bearing Easter greeting: “Joyous Easter Greetings Fondest Love=Uncle Willie.” [All printed in block capitals.]

Typewritten letter marked "Personal" from William Lyon Mackenzie King to his nephew Arthur King on February 25, 1947 expressing anxiety about Arthur's "new apartment and removal to Toronto," and asking for specific details about his new home. Arthur had apparently been assisted in finding living quarters through D.B. Mansur, president of the Central Mortgage and Housing Corporation and "Mr. Handy" and King expresses surprise that Arthur has not yet followed up with them: "As soon as I learned of the change you had been able to effect in apartments, I rang up Mr. Mansur and thanked him personally for his kind intervention. I am sure that but for his personal interest in the matter and Mr. Handy's kind interest in advance, you would have had real difficulty in securing any quarters."
Footnote: "let me suggest that you visit Mr Mansur [&] Mr Handy without delay. But for their good office you might be very badly off. W"
King then addresses everyone's state of health and reminds Arthur that he must "do all that is in your power to prove your qualifications for the position you now have and to ensure advancement in the future;" also that "Toronto is a nice city in which to live and you will have opportunities of personal and business contacts there much greater than are likely to come elsewhere. I am sure you will make the most of them."
Includes handwritten correction.
Salutation: "My dear Arthur" [handwritten]; Signature: "With love to both, Yours affectionately, Uncle Willie" [handwritten].

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 marked "Personal" from William Lyon Mackenzie King to his nephew Arthur King on January 19, 1947 in response to and supportive of the news that Arthur is moving to Toronto to work for Ontario Hydro. King enumerates Arthur’s qualifying experience and background, compares Toronto to Montreal as a suitable place to live, and offers a list of factors to consider when looking for a place to live.
Salutation: “My dear Arthur” [handwritten]; Signature: “With fondest love to you and Kathleen, and again with many thanks for your letter and all good wishes Believe me [?] Affectionately yours Uncle Willie” [handwritten].
Includes handwritten corrections.

Typewritten letter from William Lyon Mackenzie King to his nephew Arthur King on January 4, 1947, commenting on Arthur’s mother’s visit [May King, nee Wookey] and reports he had received of her apparent good health.
Salutation: “Dear Arthur” ; Signature: “With fondest love, Yours affectionately Uncle Willie” [handwritten].

Handwritten notes by William Lyon Mackenzie on a small envelope, inscribed to “To Arthur and Kathleen with love and all good wishes, Uncle Willie, Christmas 1946,” with additional note “Not to open till Christmas morning.”
This envelope is enclosed in a mailing envelope postmarked Toronto Dec. 22, 1946, with “WLMK, PM” in bottom left hand corner [handwritten.]

Typewritten letter from William Lyon Mackenzie King to his nephew Arthur King on January 17, 1946, a short note of thanks, comments on their healthy appearance and apologies for not having been able to talk longer.
Includes envelope inscribed only “Mr and Mrs Arthur King [handwritten].
Salutation: “My dear Arthur”; Signature: “Love to you both, [typewritten] Yours affectionately, Uncle Willie” [handwritten].

Typewritten letter from William Lyon Mackenzie King to his nephew Arthur King on January 17, 1946, in which he encloses $5.00 to complete the sum needed for a radio cabinet (see letter Dec. 29, 1945). Also with reference to the previous letter, he continues on the subject of the vitamins he has sent them.
Note on p. 1 “Please find $5.00 enclosed, WLMK” [handwritten].
Includes handwritten correction.
Salutation: “My dear Arthur” ; Signature: “Yours affectionately, Uncle Willie” [handwritten].

Typewritten letter marked "Personal" from William Lyon Mackenzie King to his nephew Arthur King on December 29, 1945 expressing his pleasure at receiving from Arthur and Kathleen, John Erskine’s book The Human Life of Jesus. [1] He emphasizes the importance of the life of Jesus to mankind, and says “I am so glad you have made this particular selection as a Christmas gift. You could have thought of nothing more appropriate and, I may add, nothing which to myself could bring a fuller measure of joy. To you both, I send my warmest thanks for a present I shall always greatly treasure and which will be to me an added strength and inspiration as I continue to go on toward the distant horizon and the glow which I hope may be mine as one approaches the close of one’s earthly life.” King the offers to pay the entire cost of a radio cabinet to hold Arthur and Kathleen’s collection of records, a sum greater than the original amount previously sent to them. King mentions “the little talk” they had on Christmas Day; also that he intends to send a fresh supply of vitamins. [2]
Salutation: “My dear Arthur” [handwritten]; Signature: “Please let this letter bring to you and to Kathleen my very best of wishes for this New Year and My fondest love, Yours affectionately , Uncle Willie” [handwritten].
Includes handwritten corrections.

Typewritten letter from William Lyon Mackenzie King to his nephew Arthur King on December 22, 1945, thanking Arthur and Kathleen for their Christmas letter and wondering what book they have sent him to open on Christmas Day. “I have no doubt it is among the packages on the little bench in my upstairs hall, being kept in reserve for Christmas morning, when Santa Claus, Pat and I sit down together to open the several Christmas gifts.” King expresses regret that he has not had time to find a gift suitable for their new apartment but is instead enclosing an envelope. King also expresses pleasure that Arthur enjoys his work and that both Arthur and Kathleen are “both so happy in your charming little apartment.”
Salutation: “My dear Arthur” [handwritten]; Signature: “With fondest love to you and Kathleen, Your loving uncle, Willie” [handwritten].
Letter also accompanied by a separate envelope inscribed “To Arthur and Kathleen” and a Christmas money-holder card inscribed "To Dear Arthur and Kathleen With fondest love and best wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from Uncle Willie, Christmas 1945," both inscriptions in Mackenzie King's handwriting.

Telegram from William Lyon Mackenzie King to his nephew Arthur King on September 22, 1945, inviting Arthur and his wife Kathleen to dine with him that evening in his “car” [railroad car] at Windsor Street Station.
Salutation: none; Signature: “W.L.Mackenzie.King.”

Typewritten letter marked "Personal" from William Lyon Mackenzie King to his nephew Arthur King on July 6, 1945. King expresses his pleasure that Arthur and Kathleen enjoyed a holiday in Muskoka and that they have moved into a new home in Montreal.
Salutation: “My dear Arthur” ; Signature: “With fondest love, [typewritten] to you both, Yours affectionately, Uncle Willie” [handwritten].

Telegram from William Lyon Mackenzie King to his nephew Arthur king, composed on May 20, 1945 and received on May 21, 1945, congratulating Arthur and his wife Kathleen on their second wedding anniversary. Mackenzie King was in Swift current probably in advance of the federal election of June 11, in which he lost his own seat, Prince Albert Riding. [1]
Salutation: none; Signature: "Love and all good wishes=:Mackenzie King."

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.

Typewritten letter from William Lyon Mackenzie King to his nephew Arthur King on May 7, 1945, “dictated in the hour of Victory which has still to be announced.” He says that “dear Lyon” will be “rejoicing with us all today.” He sends good wishes to all at Laurier House, and thanks Arthur for taking Pat for a walk. King was attending the United Nations Conference in San Francisco. [1] On May 7 the Nazis surrendered unconditionally with May 8 to be the end of the war, Victory in Europe day. [2]
Salutation: “Dear Arthur” [handwritten]; Signature: “With fondest love to Kathleen & yourself. Your affectionate uncle Willie” [handwritten].
Includes envelope. Both envelope and letter marked “Personal.”

Typewritten letter from William Lyon Mackenzie King to his nephew Arthur King on December 26, 1944, thanking Arthur and his wife Kathleen for a Christmas letter and gift, “doylies[sic] … exquisite in their texture and design. In taste, they could not be more to my liking. They are a real addition to Laurier House.” King has left a gift at Arthur and Kathleen’s that requires samples and going to shops, but is otherwise not described. King send this letter with a promised copy of Emil Ludwig’s Portrait Sketch and also a copy of “a little book entitled “Rendezvous," which I think you would both like to read. [1.] I read a copy myself many months ago. It wholly accords with my own belief. I want you to have it as a remembrance of Dear Lyon.” Salutation: “My Dear Arthur” [handwritten]; Signature: “Yours affectionately, Uncle Willie” [handwritten].

Telegram from William Lyon Mackenzie King to his nephew Arthur King, sending Christmas wishes to him, his wife Kathleen and family.
Salutation: none; Signature: “Your loving uncle=W L Mackenzie King ."

Typewritten letter from William Lyon Mackenzie King to his nephew Arthur King on October 15, 1944 concerning the “Inscription in memory of Surgeon Lieutenant William Lyon Mackenzie King, F.R.C.S. to be cut on memorial in Mount Pleasant Cemetery.“ King is waiting for family to approve the inscription and details of lettering before placing the order. Arthur’s twin brother Lyon had died on Sept. 20, 1943 when the St. Croix was torpedoed by a German U-Boat and all men aboard except one perished. [1]
Salutation: “My Dear Arthur” [handwritten]; Signature: “Yours affectionately , Uncle Willie” [handwritten].

Typewritten letter from William Lyon Mackenzie King to his nephew Arthur King on October 9, 1944, written as a reminder to Arthur to make efforts to locate Sir Campbell Stuart [1] on Stuart’s return to Ottawa, October 24, 1944.
Salutation: “My Dear Arthur”; Signature: “Yours affectionately, Uncle Willie, This is just a reminder. W” [handwritten]. Includes underlining.

Typewritten letter marked "Personal" from William Lyon Mackenzie King to his nephew Arthur King on Dec. 27, 1943, thanking Arthur and his wife Kathleen for the Christmas letter and gift of handkerchiefs, and sending New Year’s wishes.
Salutation: “My Dear Arthur” [handwritten]; Signature: “Yours affectionately, Uncle Willie” [handwritten].
Includes insertions handwritten.

Typewritten letter from William Lyon Mackenzie King to his nephew Arthur King on December 19, 1943. King expresses Christmas wishes to Arthur, his wife Kathleen and Kathleen’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas in Toronto. King notes that he has a gift for them in their new home, “I would like to send you, just as a souvenir of the day itself, and also of a central event in Canadian history, a little picture which was taken at the time of the Quebec Conference[1], and which I am sure you would both like to have.”
Salutation: “My Dear Arthur” [handwritten]; Signature: “With fondest of love, Yours affectionately, Uncle Willie” [handwritten].

Telegram of good wishes from William Lyon Mackenzie to Mr. and Mrs. Arthur M. King on their wedding day, May 20, 1943. The telegram is sent from The White House in Washington DC.
Salutation: none; Signature: “W L Mackenzie King.”
Includes envelope.

Telegram of good wishes from William Lyon Mackenzie to his nephew Arthur King on May 19, 1943 “to greet you on the morning of your marriage.”
Salutation: “Dear Arthur”; Signature: “Love to you both=W L Mackenzie King".
Includes envelope.

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.

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.”

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.

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.