Sir John Abbott was born March 12, 1821 and raised in Lower Canada. Abbott received an excellent education from his missionary father. Employed at 17, he studied accounting before entering McGill law school, eventually becoming its dean. Studious, informed, and rational, Abbott's dislike of conflict and distrust of emotion helped establish him as a superb negotiator and one of Canada's most successful commercial lawyers.
Political Career
Abbott began his political life with open support for Canada's annexation by the US in 1849 and then lukewarm support for Confederation. A pragmatic Tory, he was elected to Parliament in 1867, 1872, and 1878 before being appointed Senator and Cabinet Minister without portfolio in 1887.
When John A. Macdonald died in office in 1891, Sir John Abbott became prime minister, mainly because the Tories could not agree on a successor. Abbott himself said he was chosen "because I am not particularly obnoxious to anyone."
Prime Minister
As prime minister, Abbott inherited a weak, divided government that was ill-equipped to meet a crisis over separate schools in Manitoba, tensions with the US over fisheries and trade, and a growing economic depression.
Nevertheless, in the 16 months he held office, Abbott shuffled his cabinet, forced the resignation of his corrupt Minister of Public Works, and undertook reform of the civil service. Abbott also insisted on the appointment of a Canadian attaché to the British legation in Washington responsible for Canada's affairs, and initiated talks with the US on outstanding issues.
Resignation
The Conservatives won 42 of the 52 by-elections held during Abbott's tenure, evidence of his effective leadership. But ill and exhausted, he resigned as prime minister in October 1892. Largely forgotten by history, John Abbott deserves at the least to be remembered as a diligent and competent caretaker for a government whose first leader could not be easily replaced. He died on October 30, 1893.
