Clipping contains reminiscences about and analysis of William Lyon Mackenzie King’s political and personal history by Senator Charles Bishop, number 18 in a series of stories written for the Evening Citizen.

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.”

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

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.

One black and white informal portrait of William Lyon Mackenzie King seated on the farmhouse porch at Kingsmere.
Photo dated July 18, 1950, National Film Board.

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.

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.

Printed invitations from the William Lyon Mackenzie Homestead Foundation to Arthur King and his wife Kathleen on May 8, 1950, one inviting them to attend the official opening of Mackenzie House in Toronto on May 9, 1950, and the other inviting them to attend the dinner to be held afterwards.

Leaflet containing the order of service in memory of William Lyon Mackenzie King held July 28, 1950 at Westminster Abbey, these two copies owned by Arthur King, nephew of William Lyon Mackenzie King, and his wife Kathleen King. Includes clipping about the service and the peal of bells.

Political leaflets and handbills issued by several national associations across Canada, possibly preparing for the 1940 Canadian Federal Election.
Includes:

• Material issued by the Saskatchewan Liberal Association with title “National Defence”
• Materials issued by the Twentieth Century Liberal Association of Canada titled “Liberal Youth in Action.”
• Handbills issued by the National Liberal Federation titled:
  • “Clothing for the troops,” handbill No. 4.
  • “Canada foes to war,” handbill No. 5 .
  • “The belated discovery,” handbill No. 8.
  • “Dependents’ Allowances,” handbill No. 10.
• Leaflets issued by the National Liberal Federation titled:
  • “Butter hits back,” leaflet No. 11.
  • “Lower taxes,” leaflet No. 14.
  • “Trade!” leaflet No. 15.
  • “Work!” leaflet No. 17.
  • “Balanced budgets,” leaflet No. 18, two copies.
  • “Railways,” leaflet No. 19.
  • “Dictatorship of freedom?” leaflet No. 20.
  • “Poverty or plenty-which?” leaflet No. 21.
  • “Reform,” leaflet No. 22.
  • “Lower tariffs,” leaflet No. 24.
  • “Why I am going to vote Liberal,” leaflet No. 25.
  • “Empire trade should mean world trade,” leaflet No. 26.
  • “What has Stevens done?” leaflet No. 27.

Some of the leaflets include stamps reading: “Vote Liberal,” “Vote for the Mackenzie King Candidate,” “Vote Fred Hoblitzell,” and “Egerton Lovering barrister, Liberal candidate Eglinton riding.” Contains bulletin “The reconstruction party,” issued in 1935.

Copy of the booklet Visit to Canada of His Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales, His Royal Highness, Prince George, the Right Honourable the Prime Minister of Great Britain, 1927 : the Diamond Jubilee of Confederation.

Issue of the Toronto Daily Star issued on May 15, 1948, with articles relating to Hon. W. L. Mackenzie King.

Leaflet containing the order of service for the funeral of William Lyon Mackenzie King on July 26, 1950, two copies owned by Arthur King, nephew of William Lyon Mackenzie King, and his wife Kathleen King.

Issues of The Gospel Witness and Protestant Advocate, Vol. 23, No. 3 and No. 39. Issues include articles relating to Hon. W. L. Mackenzie King.

Three issues of “The Canadian Liberal Monthly,” Vol. III, No. 8 (April 1916); Vol. IV, No. 8 (April 1917); Vol. IV, No. 9 (May 1917). Published by the Central Information Office of the Canadian Liberal Party.

Issue of “The Canadian : circulated throughout the Dominion in the interests of the Liberal-Conservative party,” Vol. 2, No. 2, published by the Confederation Publishing Company on March 15, 1935.

Materials created by members of the Liberal Party of Canada and the Liberal Sixteenth Canadian Ministry with Prime Minister Right Honourable William Lyon Mackenzie King (October 1935 – November 1948). Includes materials related to political campaigns, different official events, and addresses.

Booklets with reports, Speeches, Broadcasts, and Addresses given by Hon. W. L. Mackenzie King issued by different organizations. Titles of booklets are:

• “Mr. King replies to Mr. Bennett,” issued by the National Liberal Federation on September 17, 1935. Includes a stamp that reads “Egerton Lovering, Liberal Candidate Eglinton Riding.”
• “Speech by the Right Honourable Ernest Lapointe on the occasion of the complimentary banquet tendered Mr. King by the Liberal Party of Canada on completion of his 20 years on leadership of the party,” delivered at the Royal York Hotel, Toronto, on August 8, 1939.
• “Canada’s war effort on the economic front, broadcast by Hon. J. L. Ralston, K.C., Minister of Finance” on November 24, 1939. Includes a stamp that reads “Vote Fred Hoblitzell.”
• “Till the hour of victory, addresses by Right Honourable W. L. Mackenzie King Prime Minister of Canada; Right Honourable Winston Churchill, Prime Minister of Great Britain; Right Honourable Ernest Lapointe, Minster of Justice. Delivered over the national network of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation” on June 1, 1941.
• “National security – the issue in the plebiscite : an appeal to the Canadian electorate for an affirmative vote on April 27th, an address broadcast by the Right Honourable W. L. Mackenzie King, M.P., Prime Minister of Canada over the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation Network” on April 7, 1942.
• “National unity and national survival : responsibility to our own and future generations, a second appeal to the Canadian electorate for an affirmative vote on April 27th, an address by the Right Honourable W. L. Mackenzie King, M.P., Prime Minister of Canada” on April 24, 1942.
• “Politics and the war, address by the Rt. Honourable W. L. Mackenzie King Prime Minister of Canada to The National Liberal Federation” on September 27, 1943.
• “Canada’s provision for her fighting forces : broadcast by Rt. Hon. W. L. Mackenzie King, M.P., Prime Minister of Canada. From Ottawa on the C.B.C. Network” on August 16, 1944.
• “Government Policy on price and wage control in the transition period, statement by Right Hon. W. L. Mackenzie King, Prime Minister of Canada” on January 31, 1946.
• “The Liberal Party personalities and policies, speeches by the Right Honourable W. L. Mackenzie King, Prime Minister and Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada and the Right Honourable Louis S. St. Laurent, Minister of Justice and Secretary of State for External Affairs. Delivered at the Chateau Frontenac, Quebec” on November 29, 1946.
• “Address of welcome by the Prime Minister of Canada (the Rt. Hon. W. L. Mackenzie King) to his excellency field Marshal the Rt. Hon. Viscount Alexander of Tunis, G.C.B., G.C.M.G., C.S.I., D.S.O., M.C., LL.D., A.D.C., Governor-General of Canada.”

Copy of Session Nineteen Forty-Three – House of Commons. Special Committee on Social Security titled Report on social security for Canada, prepared by Dr. L. C. Marsh for the Advisory Committee on Reconstruction, and presented to the Special Committee on Social Security on March 16, 1943, by Hon. Mr. Mackenzie, Minister of Pensions and National Health.

Issue of the “Report of inaugural assembly (Ottawa, March 19th, 1930) : citizenship and politics by Rt. Hon. W. L. Mackenzie King, M.P., Prime Minister of Canada. Hints on organization” issued by the Twentieth Century Liberal Association of Canada (March 19, 1930).
The Twentieth Century Liberal Association of Canada was created by Liberal Canadians born in the 20th Century. The Association’s inaugural banquet and assembly took place on March 19, 1930, with the participation of Hon. W. L. Mackenzie King.

Publications issued by the National Liberal Organization Committee, created in 1917. Titles of publications are:

• “A handbook for liberal workers : a short summary of the Dominion Elections Act, 1920, as amended in 1921, together with some hints on organization,” publication No. 6, issued in September 1921
• “Cost of living and government responsibility,” publication No. 14, issued in October 1921
• “The soldiers and the franchise,” publication No. 17, issued in October 1921

Press releases issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, consisting of extracts from messages received on the passing of Mackenzie King.

Political handouts issued by the Hamilton East Liberal Association, the Perth Liberal Association and the National Liberal Federation asking for votes for Tom Ross (for Hamilton East in English, Italian, and Ukrainian), Parker (for Perth), and Hon. W. L. Mackenzie King.

Materials created by the Canadian Liberal Party during Conservative Ninth Canadian Ministry with Prime Minister Right Honourable Sir Robert Laird Borden (October 1911 – October 1917) and Unionist Eleventh Canadian Ministry with Prime Minister Right Honourable Arthur Meighen (July 1920 – December 1921).

This issue of the Evening Citizen for May 7, 1945 contains mentions of William Lyon Mackenzie King: “Not an hour for exultation, says Premier King,” p. 11; “Mr. King visits freed Canadians travelling home,” p. 15. Mr. King and Louis St. Laurent who were in California for the United Nations Security Conference, paid an unexpected visit to 52 Canadians who had been interned for three years in Japanese prison camps in the Philippines.

One section of The Ottawa Citizen, June 6, 1944 concerning the D-Day allied landings in France. “Gov’t lights quickly go on: officialdom here in dark on reported landings,” The Ottawa Citizen, Tuesday, June 6, 1944, p. 8. This short story reports on early morning lights going on at government buildings as “service chiefs and public relations officers, hearing German invasion reports, hurried to their offices.” The final paragraph reads: “A servant at Laurier House, home of Prime Minister Mackenzie king, said Mr. King had retired. She declined to awaken him.”

This issue of the Evening Citizen for April 13, 1945 contains several mentions of William Lyon Mackenzie King, as well as on p. 13 a press photo of Roosevelt, King and Churchill taken at a press conference in Quebec.

Clippings contain plans for the memorial service for William Lyon Mackenzie King to be held in Westminster Abbey. One clipping is from the Globe and Mail, Friday, July 28, 1950, p. 4; the other is undated, from an unidentified newspaper.

p. [1]-[6].

p. [1]-4, 27-28, 33-34, 45-46.

p. [1]-4, 21-22, 25-26.

p. [1]-4, 11-12, [17]-18, 35-40.

p. [1]-[4].

p. [1]-4, [21]-22.

p. [1]-16.

p. [1]-16, 23-24.

Two sections, p. [1]-16, 17-32.

Two sections, p. [1]-16, 17-32.

p. [1]-18, 19-20, 33-34.

p. [1]-18, 35-[36].

p. [1]-4.

p. [1]-2.

p. [1]-2, 9-10.

p. [1]-2.

Two sections, p. [1]-12, 13-28.

Two sections: p. [1]-18, 19-34.

Second Section, p. 13-14.

Issue of the “National Liberal and Conservative Bulletin,” Vol. 1, No. 22; and issue of the “Supplement to National Liberal and Conservative Bulletin,” No. 22, both published on October 8, 1921.

Published transcript of a broadcast by Leonard W. Brockington made on August 8, 1950, concerning William Lyon Mackenzie King’s gifts to the nation.

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.

Poster for a debate in Victoria College. Poster reads: “Mackenzie King : Rogue or Benefactor? A lively and interesting debate. Trinity College v. Victoria College. Sponsored by the Victoria College Debating Parliament. Tuesday, January 27th, 8 pm, at Alumni Hall in Victoria College. Refreshments afterwards. Come and state your views!”

Leaflets issued by the National Liberal Federation of Canada, probably created in 1935. Some of the leaflets include extracts of speeches and/or reports by Hon. W. L. Mackenzie King. Titles of the leaflets are:

• “Unemployment : Liberalism offers the basic solution,” leaflet No. 3.
• “The Liberal Party’s position on some immediate problems,” leaflet No. 3a.
• “Liberalism and railways : the railway problem in its true light,” leaflet No. 5.
• "The Central Bank : where Liberalism stands as against the other political parties,” leaflet No. 6.

Leaflet issued by the Provisional Organizing Committee of the Canadian Association for Federal Union promoting Clarence Streit’s book Union Now (1939). Title of the leaflet is: “Union Now : win the War and save the peace.”

Typewritten letter from an unidentified person at Laurier House to Arthur King on August 8, 1950, who encloses a mimeograph copy of William Lyon Mackenzie’s King’s will and who promises to send a copy of Leonard Brockington’s broadcast.

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.

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."

Handwritten promissory note from William Lyon Mackenzie King to Miss Kathleen Thomas on May 16, 1943, for one hundred dollars as a souvenir of her wedding day May 20, 1943. [her future husband is William Lyon Mackenzie King's nephew Arthur Macdougall King.]

Handwritten letter from William Lyon Mackenzie King to Miss Kathleen Thomas on May 16, 1943.
Transcription: “My dear Kathleen: This is the week on which you and Arthur are to be married. I have waited until this Sunday morning to write to you, not being too sure during the past few days just what my movements might be in the course of the present week. You no doubt will have seen from the papers that the President and Mr. Churchill have invited me to come to Washington for talks together, for meetings, conference, and the like, in the course of Mr Churchill's stay. It is now clear that I shall be obliged to leave tomorrow afternoon at the latest, and that I shall be obliged to be there in Washington on the day of your wedding, Thursday May 20th.
I need not tell you how sorry I am to have to disappoint Arthur and yourself; and, myself, to miss the pleasure of being with you both at the marriage ceremony, and to sign the register as a witness, as I did in the case of Margery and Lyon's wedding. However, there is no alternative, as Mr. Churchill is expecting me to be with him on Tuesday, and the President has invited me to be his guest, at the White House, on Wednesday spending the night there, and attending a meeting of the Pacific Council on Thursday morning, and a meeting of delegates from different parts of the British Empire, on Monday afternoon. I mention these engagements because of their importance and historic significance, and that you may know just why it will not be possible for me to be with you all on the day of, and at the time of your wedding. Perhaps, in the long run, a message from the White House, on the day of the wedding, may come to be an even more significant and welcome souvenir of the occasion than the witnessing of the marriage ceremony, and being a witness to its having taken place. Still I should have liked to have been with you and Arthur as I was with Margery and Lyon.
You know, I am sure, all the good wishes that I send to you for the day and for the Nova vita [underlined] on which you enter at that time. I wish you and Arthur the greatest possible happiness. As you both have a high purpose in life, and a love of service, and with the [will be?] sharing kindred ideals, I am certain that the way will open out before you in [to?] new widening vistas of opportunities, and of realization of your highest hopes. It will, I imagine, not be without its difficulties and privations at the start, and until this time of war becomes something of the past. You will have in that the consolation of knowing that you are sharing with others the sacrifices by which in the end, all that is highest in attainment is accomplished. There will be, too, [illegible] much sunshine and gladness along the way.
I should like to make you a little gift which would be something you would like to have from me, as a remembrance of your wedding day. In order that I may be sure the choice would be something you yourself would approve, I am going to ask you to help me in the selection of it, after you come to Ottawa, where we can confer together about it. Meanwhile, please accept 'my promise to pay' with my love and best of wishes for May the 20th, 1943, and for the days, and months and years to come. I pray through this all, you may be greatly blessed.”
Salutation: “My dear Kathleen,” [handwritten; Signature: “Yours affectionately, W.L. Mackenzie King.”

Telegram of good wishes from William Lyon Mackenzie King to Miss Kathleen M. Thomas on May 19, 1943: “Please let this message bring to you on the morning of your wedding day every loving good wish for your happiness today and through the years to come I am sorry not to have been able to be present at the wedding ceremony but my thoughts will be with you all. “
Salutation: none; Signature: “W L Mackenzie King.”

Typewritten letter, marked “Personal”, from William Lyon Mackenzie King to Kathleen King on May 21, 1948, in which he expresses pleasure at seeing Arthur and Kathleen in Toronto, ascribes their good health and happiness to having their own “little house,” and sends them wedding anniversary congratulations. He adds that he is sending more vitamins.
Salutation: My dear Kathleen” [handwritten]; Signature: With love to Arthur and yourself, Yours affectionately, W.L. Mackenzie King” [handwritten].

Typewritten and handwritten letter from William Lyon Mackenzie King to Kathleen King on January 8, 1949, acknowledging one received from Kathleen with news that the vitamins had arrived safely. He comments on Arthur’s mother’s visit. [typewritten].In an added handwritten paragraph King writes: “Your wild strawberry jam is awfully delicious. Mr & Mrs Guthrie of Paris, France, were the first to sample it at tea, a few days ago. [illegible word word word word word word word word] for Ottawa’s future as Canada’s capital. Today the Prime Minister of New Zealand Mr Fraser, and the High Commissioner, had a taste. They were all delighted. [illegible word] never tasted anything as good. Love again to you and Arthur.”
Salutation: “My dear Kathleen” [handwritten]; Signature: “Yours affectionately, W.L. Mackenzie King” [handwritten].

Typewritten letter from William Lyon Mackenzie King to Kathleen King on January 18, 1950, on the topic of her vitamin supply. King notes that he is pleased that Arthur and Kathleen have decided to use his gift of money to purchase nesting tables.
Salutation: “My dear Kathleen:” [typewritten]; Signature: “Yours affectionately [typewritten], 'Uncle Willie.” [handwritten].

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.

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 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 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.”

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 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].

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 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 marked "Personal" from William Lyon Mackenzie King to his nephew Arthur on August 20, 1948, describing his relationship with John D. Rockefeller Jr., and mentioning his invitation to visit Mr. Rockfeller's "summer home at Seal Harbor, Maine." King anticipates going to Europe in three weeks, and notes that he is "now relieved of the leadership of the Party. On my return, I expect to be giving up office as well."[1] King declares the "Convention" as "a great success" [Liberal leadership election] [2] and wishes that Arthur and Kathleen had been there to "witness the ovations." He expresses his pleasure at Arthur and Kathleen's new home in Leaside, although his opening of Sunnybrook Hospital prevented him from visiting in person. He remarks on the pretty names "Southvale Drive" and "Leaside."
Salutation: "My dear Arthur" [handwritten]; Signature: "With fondest love to you both, Yours affectionately, Uncle Willie" [handwritten].

Typewritten letter from William Lyon Mackenzie King to his nephew Arthur on December 28, 1948, containing effusive thanks to him and his wife Kathleen for letters and Christmas gift of hand-picked and preserved wild raspberry jam. King notes that the jam will be used for special occasions of afternoon tea at Laurier House or Kingsmere. King reminisces "I remember when Lord Athlone and Princess Alice used to come out to Kingsmere occasionally for a walk, there was nothing they enjoyed so much as some of the strawberry jam which I had there. Jam made from wild strawberries is, of course, the most delicious of all. [1]
King refers to his "little gift" to Arthur and Kathleen and says that "Nothing could give me more pleasure than that you should use the cheque toward the purchase of a rug for one of the rooms in your little home." He also extends his thanks to Arthur's mother for her letter and gift of books. King notes that is health is not good and that he was wise to have retired when he did. In closing, King mentions that he is sending Kathleen another supply of vitamins.
Salutation: "My dear Arthur" [handwritten]; Signature: "With love to you both Yours affectionately Uncle Willie" [handwritten].

Typewritten letter from William Lyon Mackenzie King to his nephew Arthur on March 22, 1949, relaying information from Arthur's friend Wilmot Gordon that his father had died, and encouraging Arthur to contact him.
Salutation: "My dear Arthur" [handwritten]; Signature: "With fondest love Yours affectionately Uncle Willie" [handwritten].

Typewritten letter from William Lyon Mackenzie King to his nephew Arthur on January 6, 1950, containing belated thanks for their Christmas letters and gift of the book Cry The Beloved Country. King finds it "extraordinary" that three books recommended to him by Violet Markham were given to him by three separate family members that Christmas. The other two were Schweitzer's Out of My Life and Thought and Lead, Kindly Light. [1] King describes his poor health, commiserates with Arthur's disappointment at not seeing his mother at Christmas, and approves of Arthur and Kathleen's plans to use his Christmas cheque to buy a set of nesting tables. King reiterates his pleasure at receiving letters from Arthur and Kathleen, and ends with concern that Kathleen's vitamins might have run out and that he is sending more.
Salutation: "My dear Arthur" [handwritten]; Signature: "With fondest love and all good wishes to Kathleen and yourself. [Illegible, possibly Again as?] always, Yours affectionately, Uncle Willie" [handwritten].
Includes handwritten corrections.

Telegram from William Lyon Mackenzie King to his nephew Arthur and his wife Kathleen on April 7, 1950, with Easter greetings.
Salutation: none; Signature: "Uncle Willie"

Typewritten letter from William Lyon Mackenzie King to his nephew Arthur on Easter Sunday, April 9, 1950 in which he describes his own poor health and expresses concern for Arthur's. King asks for all the details about the oil burner that Arthur has acquired for his furnace and notes that the cost of oil makes heating almost as expensive as coal.
King thanks Arthur for congratulations on "the Royal Honours recently received, the Grand Cross of the Order of the Netherlands Lion and the Grand Cross of the Order of Leopold from Belgium," the which he notes belong to the nation and not to him personally. He goes on to quote from a letter from Churchill to himself published on p. 739 of Churchill's most recent work, The Grand Alliance, in which Churchill writes: " ﾑWhat a pleasure it is to see the whole empire pulling as one man, and believe me, my friend, I understand the reasons for your success in marshalling the grand war effort of Canada.' It is a nice tribute from the one who, more than any other, had to do with the direction of affairs at the time of the war." King expresses hope that he will soon be able to start work on his memoirs. He has still not ever visited Arthur and Kathleen's "little home in Toronto", and intends to do so "the first time I am in the city."
Salutation: "My dear Arthur" [typewritten]; Signature: "Yours very affectionately" [typewritten] "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.”

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.

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.”