Lincoln Alexander facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lincoln Alexander
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Alexander in 2005
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| 24th Lieutenant Governor of Ontario | |
| In office September 20, 1985 – December 10, 1991 |
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| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Governor General | Jeanne Sauvé Ray Hnatyshyn |
| Premier | David Peterson Bob Rae |
| Preceded by | John Black Aird |
| Succeeded by | Hal Jackman |
| Minister of Labour | |
| In office June 4, 1979 – March 2, 1980 |
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| Prime Minister | Joe Clark |
| Preceded by | Martin O'Connell |
| Succeeded by | Gerald Regan |
| Member of the Canadian Parliament for Hamilton West |
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| In office June 25, 1968 – May 28, 1980 |
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| Preceded by | Joseph Macaluso |
| Succeeded by | Stanley Hudecki |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Lincoln MacCauley Alexander
January 21, 1922 Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Died | October 19, 2012 (aged 90) Hamilton, Ontario, Canada |
| Political party | Progressive Conservative |
| Spouses |
Yvonne Harrison
(m. 1948; died 1999)Marni Beal
(m. 2011) |
| Children | Keith Lincoln Alexander |
| Occupation | Barrister and solicitor |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service | Royal Canadian Air Force |
| Years of service | 1942–45 |
| Rank | Corporal |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
Lincoln MacCauley Alexander (January 21, 1922 – October 19, 2012) was a very important Canadian lawyer and politician. He made history many times. He was the first Black Canadian to become a Member of Parliament (MP) in Canada. He was also the first Black person to be a federal Cabinet Minister, serving as the Minister of Labour.
Later, he became the first Black Chair of the Worker's Compensation Board of Ontario. From 1985 to 1991, he served as the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario. This made him the first Black person to hold such a high position in a Canadian province. He also served five terms as Chancellor of the University of Guelph, which is a record.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Growing Up in Toronto
Lincoln Alexander was born on January 21, 1922, in Toronto, Ontario. His mother, Mae Rose, came from Jamaica. His father, Lincoln McCauley Alexander Sr., was a carpenter from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. His father worked as a porter on trains. Lincoln had a younger brother, Hughie.
When Lincoln went to Earl Grey Public School, he was the only Black child in his kindergarten class. He learned to stand up for himself and earn respect. He later wrote that he "always walk[ed] tall" so people knew he was serious. At that time, there were very few Black people in Toronto, and prejudice was common.
Lincoln's family was religious and went to a Baptist church often. His father wanted him to play piano, but Lincoln loved sports. He played track, soccer, hockey, softball, and even boxed.
Moving to New York
As a teenager, Lincoln's mother moved to Harlem, New York, with his half-brother. Lincoln and Hughie stayed with another family for a while. Later, Lincoln joined his mother in New York.
In New York, he went to DeWitt Clinton High School. This was a big deal because he was the only one in his family to go to high school. In Harlem, he saw many Black people working in different jobs, not just manual labor. This showed him that education was very important.
Serving Canada in World War II
Joining the Air Force
In 1939, when Canada joined World War II, Lincoln's mother sent him back to Toronto. He met Yvonne (Tody) Harrison in Toronto and wanted to marry her. He took a job in Hamilton making anti-aircraft guns to be near her.
In 1942, Lincoln Alexander joined the Royal Canadian Air Force. He served as a corporal and a wireless operator. He worked in many parts of Canada, including Portage La Prairie. He could not fight in battles because his eyesight was not good enough.
Facing Racism in Service
While he was stationed in Vancouver, a bar refused to serve him because he was Black. He told his officer, but nothing was done. Lincoln decided to leave the Air Force in 1945 and received an honorable discharge. He later said that people at that time "didn't know how to deal with race relations."
Education and Legal Career
Becoming a Lawyer
After the war, Lincoln finished high school in Hamilton. Then, in 1946, he went to McMaster University. He studied economics and history and earned his degree in 1949.
On September 10, 1948, he married Yvonne "Tody" Harrison. After graduating, he tried to get a sales job at a steel plant, but they did not want a Black man in sales. He turned down their offer to work in the plant.
Lincoln then went to Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto to become a lawyer. After finishing law school, he got a job with Helen and Edward Okuloski in Hamilton. He practiced real estate and business law there.
A Unique Law Firm
Two years later, Lincoln started his own law firm with Dave Duncan. He said it was the first law firm in Canada with both Black and white partners. In 1958, he bought his own home in Hamilton, where he lived for almost 40 years.
In 1960, he and his wife traveled to 23 countries in Africa as volunteers. He said this trip made him realize, "In Africa, I was a black man and I was somebody."
Later, Lincoln joined another law firm with Jack Millar, which became known as "the United Nations law firm." He joked that they were "white, black, yellow and red." In 1965, he was named a Queen's Counsel, which is a special honor for lawyers.
Political Journey
First Black Member of Parliament
In 1965, Lincoln Alexander ran for a seat in the Canadian Parliament but did not win. He tried again in the 1968 Canadian federal election. On June 25, 1968, he won the election for the Hamilton West area. This made him Canada's first Black Member of Parliament.
In 1970, he voted for the War Measures Act, which gave the government special powers during a crisis. However, he later felt he had made a mistake, saying that limiting people's rights has "far more serious implications." In 1976, he voted to end capital punishment (the death penalty) in Canada.
Lincoln Alexander also worked at the United Nations in 1976 and 1978. From 1979 to 1980, he was the Minister of Labour in the government led by Prime Minister Joe Clark. He held his seat in Parliament for four elections. He left Parliament on May 27, 1980, to become the chairman of the Ontario Worker's Compensation Board.
Serving as Lieutenant Governor
In 1985, Prime Minister Brian Mulroney suggested that Lincoln Alexander become the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario. The Governor General Jeanne Sauvé then appointed him to this role. He became the first Black person to hold such a high position in a Canadian province.
During his time as Lieutenant Governor, he focused on important issues. These included different cultures (multiculturalism), education, fighting racism, and helping young people. He visited many communities, held many events, and met thousands of guests. He also visited hundreds of schools.
Later Life and Legacy
Continued Public Service
After being Lieutenant Governor, Alexander continued to serve the public. He was the Chair of the Workers Compensation Board of Ontario from 1980 to 1985. This organization helps people who get hurt at work.
In 1992, he received two major honors: he was appointed to the Order of Ontario and became a Companion of the Order of Canada. These are two of Canada's highest honors.
From 1991 to 2007, he was the Chancellor of the University of Guelph. He held this position for 15 years, longer than anyone before him. In 2000, he became the Chair of the Canadian Race Relations Foundation, where he spoke out against racism.
In 2006, he published his autobiography, Go to School, You're a Little Black Boy: The Honourable Lincoln M. Alexander: A Memoir. The title came from advice his mother gave him when he was a boy.
His Passing and Honors
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Lincoln Alexander passed away peacefully on October 19, 2012, at the age of 90. Flags were lowered to half-mast, and many leaders honored him. His body was displayed for public viewing at the Ontario Legislative Building and at Hamilton City Hall.
He was survived by his son, Keith Lincoln Alexander, and his second wife, Marni Beal. He had a state funeral in Hamilton, attended by many important people, including the Prime Minister of Canada.
Remembering Lincoln Alexander
Lincoln Alexander's legacy continues to inspire Canadians.
- The Province of Ontario declared January 21 "Lincoln Alexander Day." This became a law in December 2013.
- In 2014, the Canadian government made January 21 "Lincoln Alexander Day" across all of Canada.
- In 2018, Canada Post released stamps featuring Alexander for Black History Month.
- Several schools have been named in his honor, including the Lincoln M. Alexander Parkway in Hamilton, Ontario.
- In 2021, Ryerson University's law school was renamed the Lincoln Alexander School of Law in his honor.
Honors and Awards
Lincoln Alexander received many honors and awards throughout his life for his service to Canada.
Special Appointments
- 1965: Queen's Counsel (QC)
- 1979: Member of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada (PC)
- 1985: Knight of the Order of St. John (KStJ)
- 1992: Companion of the Order of Canada (CC)
- 1992: Member of the Order of Ontario (O.Ont)
Medals Received
- Canadian Volunteer Service Medal
- War Medal 1939–1945
- Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal (1977)
- 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal (1992)
- Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal (2002)
- Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012)
- Canadian Forces Decoration (CD) (1994)
Halls of Fame
- Canadian Disability Hall of Fame, 1998
University Roles
- 1991–2007: Chancellor of the University of Guelph
- 1989–2012: Honorary Senior Fellow at Renison University College at the University of Waterloo
Honorary Degrees
Lincoln Alexander received honorary degrees from many universities, recognizing his achievements:
- 1986: University of Toronto – Doctor of Laws (LL.D)
- 1987: McMaster University – Doctor of Laws (LL.D)
- 1988: University of Western Ontario – Doctor of Laws (LL.D)
- 1990: York University – Doctor of Laws (LL.D)
- 1991: Royal Military College of Canada – Doctor of Laws (LL.D)
- 1992: Queen's University – Doctor of Laws (LL.D)
Other Recognitions
- 2002: Law Society Medal of the Law Society of Upper Canada
Things Named After Him
- Lincoln M. Alexander Award (an award in Ontario)
- Lincoln M. Alexander Parkway (a road in Hamilton, Ontario)
- Several schools:
- Lincoln Alexander Public School in Ajax
- Lincoln Alexander Public School in Hamilton
- Lincoln Alexander Public School in Markham
- Lincoln M. Alexander Secondary School in Mississauga
- Alexander Hall at the University of Guelph
- 876 Lincoln Alexander Royal Canadian Air Cadets Squadron
- Lincoln M. Alexander Building, the headquarters for the OPP in Orillia
Images for kids
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The coat of arms of Lincoln Alexander, featuring a lion and the motto "Confidence Determination and Perseverance."
