Downtown Yonge in Toronto, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

William Lyon Mackenzie

1795-1861

Photographed by Tim Boyd, June 1, 2026

1. William Lyon MacKenzie Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Born in Scotland, Mackenzie came to Upper Canada in 1820. He became a prominent radical journalist and was first elected to the assembly in 1828, building up a strong popular following. He was the first mayor of the city of Toronto in 1834. Frustrated by political setbacks, Mackenzie led an abortive rebellion in 1837, and fled to the United States. From there he watched the achievement of Canadian self-government, which he had sought ardently but without success. Returning under amnesty in 1850, he sat in Parliament again until 1858.

Né en Ecosse, Mackenzie émigra au Canada en 1820. Il y eut une carrière influente et tumulteuse comme journaliste radical, membre de l'Assemblée, ou il fut élu en 1828, et premier maire de Toronto en 1834. Déçu par des échecs politiques, il prit la tete dune rébellion en 1837. Vaincu, il dut s’exiler aux Etats-Unis. C'est de la qu'il suivit la conquête du gouvernement responsable, pour lequel il avait combattu avec tant d’ardeur mais sans succès. Amnistié, il revint au Canada en 1850 et siégea de nouveau au Parlement jusqu'à 1858.

Erected by

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Government & Politics. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Historic Sites and Monuments Board series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1795.

Location. 43° 39.347′ N, 79° 22.694′ W. Marker is in Toronto, Ontario. It is in Downtown Yonge. It is on Bond Street 0.1 kilometers south of Dundas Street West, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 82 Bond Street, Toronto ON M5B M5B, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Toronto

and on the Golden Horseshoe.

It is also in Central Canada.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Mackenzie House (a few steps from this marker); St. Michael’s Cathedral Rectory (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); St. Michael’s Cathedral (about 120 meters away); Massey Hall (about 180 meters away); Sir Ernest MacMillan (about 180 meters away); International Union of Operating Engineers Local 793 (about 180 meters away); Robert Simpson Co. Warehouse (about 210 meters away); Cooper and Gillespie Houses (about 210 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Toronto.

Also see . . . Rebellions of 1837-38 (The Canadian Encyclopedia).

The rebellion in Upper Canada was led by William Lyon Mackenzie. The Scottish-born newspaper publisher and politician was a fierce
Photographed by Tim Boyd, June 1, 2026

2. William Lyon Mackenzie Marker
critic of the Family Compact. The Compact was an elite clique of officials and businessmen who ran the colony, largely through a system of patronage. Mackenzie and his followers also opposed a system of land grants that favoured settlers from Britain over those with ties to the United States, many of whom were also denied political rights.

In 1837, after years of failed efforts at peaceful change, Mackenzie convinced his most radical followers to try and seize control of the government and declare the colony a republic.

(Submitted on June 10, 2026, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario.)

William Lyon Mackenzie House Museum image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Boyd, June 1, 2026

3. William Lyon Mackenzie House Museum

William Lyon Mackenzie, ca 1850 image. Click for full size.

circa 1850

4. William Lyon Mackenzie, ca 1850

Wikipedia (public domain)

Credits. This page was last revised on June 11, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 10, 2026, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 9 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 10, 2026, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.