The Diaries of Sir Robert Borden, 1912-1918. Transcription by Dr. Kathryn Rose

Abstract

Sir Robert Laird Borden was the Prime Minister of Canada from October 1911 until July 1920, when he resigned due to health concerns. First elected to the House in 1896, Borden was the leader of the Conservative party from February 1901 until 1917, when he formed a Union Government. These are transcripts of the personal diaries that were kept by Sir Robert Borden between the years 1912-1918 inclusive. Borden led Canada at a very unique juncture in the country’s history. His diary provides valuable insight to his experience. During his tenure, Borden handled his share of scandals, including the railways, the naval question, munitions, Sir Sam Hughes, and most notably, conscription, all while leading a country during the war. There are three versions of the Borden diary, and each vary to a small degree. The original, held in Library and Archives Canada, is the only complete version. It’s held in the Sir Robert Borden Fonds, Volume 449. This volume is not available for public consultation. The following diary is a digitized representation of the third version of the diary, a typed version, transcribed and held by the Archives.