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).

This series of diaries, arranged chronologically and spanning the years 1934 1995, contain Robertson’s matter of fact overview and some of his measured reflections his personal life, including his private interests and his family life, as well as his professional activities, as a surgeon, as principal of McGill University, and as an advisor and a board member following his retirement from McGill in 1970. Also included in the series are photos, correspondence files, ephemera, and newspaper and magazine clippings attached to entries in his diaries 1922 1981 (Container 15, File 224).

In particular the years 1934 1961 Container 12, Files 195 200/ Note: There are no diaries for 1959 1960), recount his final student years at McGill, his courtship of Rolly Arnold, his completion of his medical fellowship in Scotland and England, his war experiences in both Great Britain and Italy, his medical years in Vancouver, and his return to the Montreal General Hospital. Of note is the bustling social life that Robertson maintained during his final years as a medical student at McGill. He, his friends, and Rolly frequently went to cocktails parties, to the theatre, and played sports, including doubles tennis and golf. Also of interest are his comments about headmasters that he encountered at St. Michael’s School and Brentwood College in Victoria, British Columbia 1940 1941 (Container 12, File 197) and his anecdote about Sir Arthur Currie, a former McGill Principal, 1940 1941 (Container 12, File 197) which was later incorporated into one of his speeches, 1972 (Container 8, File 153).

The diaries dating from 1962 1969 document the events that transpired during Robertson’s tenure at McGill Container 12, Files 201 203; Container 18, Files 247 256), including his reflections on his ultimate decision to retire. These diaries, in particular, are more introspective and personal as they reveal Robertson’s attempts to assimilate the societal change of the 1960s as well as discussing his own feelings of stress and sense of confoundedness at the student unrest at McGill. The diaries dating from 1969 1979 Container 14, Files 214 223), commence with the announcement of his retirement, his decision to ultimately leave Quebec, due to the political turmoil and violence of the times, and the initial years of his retirement. They also treat his reactions to the Stanley Gray affair. His diary entries include his relief over Gray’s dismissal, which Robertson felt was crucial in allowing him to maintain a semblance of control during his final year as McGill’s principal Container 14, File 214).

The aforementioned diaries, coupled with the set from 1980 1995 (Container 13, Files 205 213), focus on the retirement years of H. Rocke Robertson They are increasingly dedicated to reflections on the weather (which are an aspect of all of his diaries), as well as his activities as a gentleman farmer at “Struan” in Mountain, Ontario. Activities include gardening, caring for his dog, Blaze, and working on his dictionary manuscript. Most revealing are his reflections on the purpose of his book and his attempt to convey how each dictionary and his collection, in its entirety, illustrate the development of English dictionaries 1969 (Container 14, File 214). His retirement diaries also document his efforts to keep active in the professional milieu, such as through his duties as an honorary librarian and archivist for the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. Also included is a Diary Index, compiled in 1988, spanning January 1961 February 1971 (Container 13, Files 212), which reveal his attempt to make key life events, particularly during his time as principal of McGill, readily accessible to researchers.

Part of this series consists of notes and a partial draft of his autobiography (Container 4, File 82; Container 12, File 197 as well as the original manuscript and a transcribed version of Robertson’s War Diaries 1940 1943 (Container 11, Files 192 -93 Container 4, File 88). His reflections on the war reveal his restlessness during his time in England, where it became evident that Prime Minister Mackenzie King did not want Canadians to see active combat. Despite this, Robertson did experience one of the first significant London bombings and he assisted in the treatment of patients who had been injured at Coventry. His diaries also reveal that he learned about hospital organization and administration, particularly during his time at Marston Green, on the outskirts of Birmingham; this knowledge was to become crucial for his subsequent professional activities. His time in Sicily and Italy, known as Operation Husky, includes descriptions of surgical techniques, of individuals he performed surgery on, as well as few instances of being under mortar fire, particularly at the Battle of Ortona, 1943. This information is supplemented by photos, as well as a scrapbook of newspaper clippings and notes, all related to Robertson’s activities during WWII, 1940 1943, 1940 Container 11, File 194; Container 16, File 238).