Fondo F0519 - Lloyd Mackenzie fonds

Lloyd William Mackenzie (7 March 1922-7 March 2007) was a Toronto resident who travelled extensively and kept personal journals from 1935 to 2005 (excluding 1942-1943). Mackenzie took particular interest in international political and social events and recorded public events in his journals, alongside accounts of his personal life, including his work life, social and cultural events he attended, and his efforts to have his writing published.

His parents William Mackenzie and Elizabeth Roulston, may have adopted Lloyd in May 1922, according to a diary entry on 1 May 1939. During his adolescence, Mackenzie wrote short stories, some of which were published in Toronto newspapers. Mackenzie was a member of the 7th Canadian Division and later the Corps of Military Staff Clerks in the Canadian Army from 1942 to 1945.

Throughout his adult life, Mackenzie worked at a number of jobs as a clerk, labourer, movie theatre usher and security guard, although he attempted to find work as an author, journalist, television and radio scriptwriter and playwright.

Mackenzie travelled extensively throughout North, South and Central America, Europe and Australia. He lived and worked in Australia from 1957-1959 and in England from 1960-1964.

Mackenzie openly acknowledged his homosexuality in the late 1940s and his diaries record his involvement in the gay community of Toronto, and his relationships and friendships with other gay men.

Mackenzie died on 7 March 2007 on his eighty-fifth birthday.