I have a bit of a problem - I like to talk about US presidential history. Like a lot, to the point where it is a hinderance. For example, when meeting new people, all I think is:

"Don't talk about presidents.
Don't talk about presidents.
I have already forgotten their names.
Don't talk about presidents."

This insatiable need to discuss the impacts of individual presidencies on the overall political tapestry started with Spielberg's 2012 film, Lincoln, which I can't watch without crying. This led to reading the epic book by personal idol, Doris Kearns Goodwin, and ultimately to Lillian Cunningham's podcast Presidential, which chronicled every president, in order, in advance of the 2016 election. Confession: I have listened to every episode multiple times and can confirm that Millard Fillmore does look a lot like Alec Baldwin.

This trait of mine is particularly odd considering I'm Canadian. It has happened more than once: I'm blabbering on about how hard it was for President Pierce (two before Lincoln) as he lost his son right before taking office, when someone asks, "Can you name all of our Prime Ministers?"
"Yeah, that doesn't matter as much, but you see, James Buchanan, who was the first and only bachelor president – yeah, now most historians think he was gay...."

I don't know much about the men and token woman who have been at the helm of Canadian politics. I know some of the standard stuff, like John A. Macdonald was the first one, and Lester Pearson has an airport named after him. But I don't know the nuances that make them interesting. The details, the family drama, and how their personal experiences have impacted the country.

So that is what I'm setting out to do: learn about prime ministers in a way that is more personal than a high school history text book. In the coming weeks, I'll look at each PM, starting at the beginning with John A. I figure the best way to dissect each prime minister into nice, little, blog-sized pieces is to divide it into two separate posts: one dedicated to their background basics (when/where they were born, who they married, their respective rise to power) and one focusing on a specific aspect of their time in the prime minister's office, and how it affect the Canadian political tapestry (if it did at all). There have been 23 people in the prime ministers office. Some, like John Turner, were only there for mere months, while others, like William Lyon Mackenzie King, spent decades in power. And while some shaped the country more than others, they all must have some story worth telling.

Hopefully this, if not making me a more robust conversationalist at my next dinner party, will enable me to win some trivia nights at my local bar.