Robert Laird Borden, Prime Minister of Canada from 1911 to 1920, was born in the village of Grand PrE, Nova Scotia, in 1854. He practiced law in the province before entering politics. In 1896 he was elected to the House of Commons, and in 1901 was chosen leader of the Liberal-Conservative party.

After his retirement in 1920, Sir Robert kept on the sidelines of the political debate, although he was often consulted by those in power and was frequently tempted to express his views on current issues. During the last four years of his life, 1933 to 1937, he recorded some of his thoughts...