2006
DOI: 10.3138/jcs.40.3.162
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John A. MacDonald and the Bottle

Abstract: Many Canadians recall John A. Macdonald as a politician with an alcohol problem. This view of a key architect of Confederation affects perceptions of national identity and inhibits biographical analysis. Macdonald had a serious but intermittent drink problem for 20 years from 1856. It is unhelpful to relate this to the medical concept of “alcoholism,” although he was a recurrent binge drinker; however, he was not consistently drunk. Recognition of his problem underlines the ability that enabled him to survive … Show more

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Cited by 4 publications
(4 citation statements)
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“…unusual problems in assessing evidence: some episodes were glossed over in the press, while others were perhaps magnified in the telling. 47 Martin argues that "to recognize the severity of Macdonald's drink problem is to underline his ascendancy in Canadian politics." 48 In other words, Macdonald's political success is even more impressive considering the fact that he irrefutably struggled with alcohol: getting drunk at the worst possible moments, not being able to stop drinking when he was needed, and experiencing the deleterious effects of alcohol, such as vomiting in public.…”
Section: John a Macdonald: Prime Minister And Living Caricaturementioning
confidence: 99%
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“…unusual problems in assessing evidence: some episodes were glossed over in the press, while others were perhaps magnified in the telling. 47 Martin argues that "to recognize the severity of Macdonald's drink problem is to underline his ascendancy in Canadian politics." 48 In other words, Macdonald's political success is even more impressive considering the fact that he irrefutably struggled with alcohol: getting drunk at the worst possible moments, not being able to stop drinking when he was needed, and experiencing the deleterious effects of alcohol, such as vomiting in public.…”
Section: John a Macdonald: Prime Minister And Living Caricaturementioning
confidence: 99%
“…47 Martin argues that "to recognize the severity of Macdonald's drink problem is to underline his ascendancy in Canadian politics." 48 In other words, Macdonald's political success is even more impressive considering the fact that he irrefutably struggled with alcohol: getting drunk at the worst possible moments, not being able to stop drinking when he was needed, and experiencing the deleterious effects of alcohol, such as vomiting in public. As noted above, drunkenness can be framed as problematic (and potentially humorous), but it is not as stigmatized as alcoholism proper.…”
Section: John a Macdonald: Prime Minister And Living Caricaturementioning
confidence: 99%
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