Norman Mackenzie was born in Sarnia, Ont., on Jan. 27, 1869, and died in Regina, Sask. on Jan. 2, 1936. He married Clara Erma McMorran of Port Huron, Michigan, in 1909. They had no children. He moved to Regina in 1891. He was educated at private schools in Ontario and graduated from Osgoode Hall, Toronto. He was enrolled as a barrister in the then-North West Territories in 1891. He practiced law in Regina with George W. Brown, and later with the firm Mackenzie, Thom, Bastedo, Ward, and MacDougall. He was made solicitor for the provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan at the time of their creation in 1905. He held several public posts during his lifetime and filled positions in various business, recreational, professional and philanthropic organizations. He was also a dedicated collector of art. His personal collection - which he bequeathed to the University of Saskatchewan, Regina College, was valued at $100,000 (Cdn).