Macdonald was born on January 11, 1815. He was prime minister for 19 years. Among other things, he orchestrated Confederation, drafted much of Canada’s Constitution — the British North America Act — and led the push for a transcontinental railway. But recognizing his legacy has also been problematic, in part because of his policies towards Aboriginal Canadians, Chinese migrant workers and the Métis.

Nevertheless, Sir John A. Macdonald Day is celebrated annually in his hometown of Kingston, Ontario. And this year, there will be a number of events to mark the occasion. The Sir John Eh? The Road Show by the SALON Acting Company, which is travelling across Canada, promises to offer stories about Macdonald “warts and all.”

Bergeron Winery in Adolphustown, Ontario, where Macdonald attended school, has produced a special wine to mark the occasion. And Province House, P.E.I., where the Fathers of Confederation met to negotiate Canada’s Confederation, is being renovated by Parks Canada.

For more about the Sir John A. commemorations, go to SirJohnA2015.

To read our reviews of Richard Gwyn's award-winning two-volume Macdonald biography, go to: Volume One and Volume Two. Or watch the CBC production John A.: Birth of a Country online.

And there is more about Macdonald’s complicated legacy in the December 2014-January 2015 issue of Canada’s History magazine. Subscribe now!