John Abbott, who had served as a Tory MP since 1881, was made a member of the Senate of Canada on the advice of Sir John A. Macdonald on this date in 1887. A former Mayor of Montreal, Abbott was also a highly regarded corporate lawyer in his pre-politics career.
Upon entering the upper house, Abbott became Government Leader in the Senate. Upon Macdonald of Kingston’s death in 1891, Abbott was then appointed Prime Minister. One of his most impressive political feats during his 17 months as PM was the fact, he and his party won 42 of 52 by-elections (!)
