Robert Laird Borden was born in Grand Pré, Nova Scotia in 1854. Educated in his home province, Borden accepted a teaching position in New Jersey at age 19. He returned to Nova Scotia two years later and began his career in law, articling with a firm in Halifax, and was called to the Bar in 1878. Borden eventually entered politics, and was first elected to the House of Commons in 1896. In 1901 he won the leadership of the Conservative Party and was the leader of the Official Opposition until 1911, when his party was elected and he became Prime Minister. Borden saw Canada through World War One, and headed the coalition of pro-conscription Conservative and Liberal politicians known as the Union Government between 1917 and 1920.
Borden resigned from the office of the Prime Minister in 1920. He remained active in business concerns after his retirement from politics, heading both Crown Life Insurance and Barclay’s Bank (Canada). He was also an author, and the president of the Canadian Historical Association.
Robert L. Borden died on June 10, 1937 in Ottawa, Ontario.