This series reflects the diverse contributions, that Robertson made as a physician, surgeon, and hospital administrator, as well as containing files related to Robertson’s medical training immediately following his graduation from McGill. Robertson’s time as an intern in the Pathology Department at the Montreal General Hospital is documented through photos, 1937 1938 (Container 4, File 112). Also included are orthopedic notes from the John Bruce Lectures that Robertson attended as an intern in Edinburgh, 1938-1939 (Container 4, File 92). Robertson’s wartime medical experiences are preserved through newspaper clippings, photos, and notes, in the form of a scrapbook, 1940-1943 (Container 11, File 194), and additional secondary sources, including Robertson’s chapter on wound infections in W. R. Feasby’s The Canadian Medical Services 1939 1945, Vol. II, 1953 and correspondence from the Minister of National Defence, Brooke Claxton (Container 19, Files 265 266).

His medical work in Vancouver following WWII, such as his contributions to the development of the Faculty of Medicine and Department of Surgery at the University of British Columbia and his role as first Professor and Head Surgeon is documented through correspondence files, photos, pamphlets, and ephemera, 1952-1971, 1950-1975 (Container 4, File 97, 100). Also included is information on the launch of his private practice in Vancouver, 1949 (Container 4, File 95) , as well as articles and gifts commemorating his time at Vancouver General Hospital, 1959-1990 (Container 4, File 96). Robertson’s rejection, in 1947, of McGill’s initial offer of the position of Professor of Surgery and Chairman of the Department of Surgery can be found in Container 1, File.

Robertson’s work at the Montreal General Hospital, particularly his time as Surgeon in Chief, is documented through numerous records and correspondence files, 1937-1997 (Container 4, Files 112 118, 1/119-2/119). His membership in different professional organizations, such as the Canadian Association of General Surgeons. 1985-1988 (Container 2, File 31) and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, 1960-1980, 1985 (Container 5, File 121) among others, are also included, as are meetings and conferences he attended as a member of the American College of Surgeons 1950-1961 (Container 2, File 29). Of interest are the pamphlets and photos Robertson acquired as a result of his membership as part of the Surgeon’s Travel Club, 1961-1989 (Container 4, File 98). Additional correspondence files, memberships, and certificates document further medical related activities, 1958, 1974, 1962 (Container 4, Files 99, 102; (Container 4, File 36, 50), including his trip to Harvard University as Visiting Surgeon in Chief Pro Tempore, 1955-1956 (Container 4, File 104). Thank you cards and correspondence with former patients demonstrate Robertson’s skills as a physician and surgeon, particularly highlighting his superb bedside manner, 1974-1994 (Container 4, File 103).

Photos, cards, invitations, correspondence files, books, and agendas reflect Robertson’s continual involvement in the professional arena after his retirement from McGill, 1985-1986 (Container 6, File 129). His professional influence is reflected in the number of functions he attended, which included conferences, dinners, installation ceremonies, and fundraising activities, 1962-1973, 1971-1983, 1981 (Container 4, File 109-110; Container 15, File 233; Container 2, File 30). This series also includes his role as the Director of the Bell Telephone Company, 1965-1985, 1992, 1994 (Container 1, File 21) his membership and subsequent role on the Archives and Library Committee of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons, 1955-1999 (Container 1, Files 22 23), and special appointments, such as to the Science Council of Canada (1976-1982), 1973-1979 (Container 1, File 13) and his time as the president of the Traffic Injury Research Foundation of Canada (1967-1973), 1971-1973, 1974 (Container 2, File 35; Container 16, File 234), among other boards. Reports, including the “Report to the Hospital for Sick Children” in Toronto, Ontario, 1975 (Container 4, File 108) highlight Robertson’s role as a much sought after advisor, 1990-1992 (Container 1, File 10). Robertson also sat on several different scholarship committees, 1967-1989, 1986-1991 (Container 2, File 27; Container 4, 107), and he was responsible for the nomination of Dr. Brenda Milner of the Montreal Neurological Institute and McGill professor for the Order of Canada, 1982 2004 (Container 2, File 42).

A record of Robertson’s activities as principal of McGill from 1962 1970 is found in diverse documents such as pamphlets, tickets, booklets, newspaper and magazine clippings, and photos, 1962, 1970, 1980 1944 -1992 (Container 1, File 4; Container 5, Files 122, 124, 128 , as well as in his diaries, 1962-1964; 1964-1969; 1969-1970 (Container 12, Files 201-203; Container 18, Files 247-256; Container 14, Files 214-217). Robertson’s appointment to McGill, his installation as principal (Container 1, File 5), his correspondence during his principalship, 1962 1994, 1965 (Container 1, File 9; Container 8, File 175), his resignation and retirement from McGill and an account of the turbulent times that accompanied his principalship are also contained in this series, 1969-1971 (Container 1, File 8; Container 5, Files 125 127; Container 6, File 130). More specifically, Robertson’s meditations on the continuing feasibility of Gerald Bull’s HARP project can be found in Container 18, File 252.

Of particular interest is Robertson’s correspondence and report for Quebec Premier Robert Bourassa 1970 (Container 1, File 6) which discusses Robertson’s unsuccessful attempts to solicit increased provincial government funding for McGill University, particularly through his analysis of the Quebec government’s unfair funding formula. Robertson even contemplated approaching Prime Minister Trudeau with the concept of McGill as a National University in an effort to secure federal funding, 1969 (Container 14, File 214).

Numerous newspaper clippings and case files relate to the Stanley Gray Dismissal Hearings (Container 1, File 7). This information is supplemented by the more personal reflections contained in Robertson’s correspondence with his brother, Bruce, a lawyer from British Columbia. Robertson’s uncertainty regarding his actions caused him to legally clarify his position with his brother and almost led to his decision to retire in 1967, 1939-1969 (Container 8, File 165). Further indications of the atmosphere at McGill include the “Save the Trees Riot” which took place near the construction site of McGill’s Burnside Hall, and the greenhouse bomb incident, both of which are discussed in some detail in Robertson’ Diaries, 1969-1979 (Container 14, Files 214 223).

Also included in the series are McGill University Convocation Brochures, 1963-1970 (Container 16, Files 1/241 3/241) and ephemera related to McGill Programs and Social events, 1956-1988, 1964-1966 (Container 3, Files 1/79 3/79; Container 15, File 230) reflecting the diverse nature of Robertson’s duties as a principal, as well as the administrative changes he made to McGill. These changes included increasing the number of vice-principals, students, and staff, as well as Robertson’s efforts to give students more of a voice by increasing student representation on both the senate and committees of the senate, 1970 (Container 19, File 264). A construction helmet, often worn by Robertson in photos, signifies the building boom that accompanied Robertson’s time as principal of McGill (Container 10, File 191).