The fonds document H. Rocke Robertson’s personal and family life, including his early education, his athletic abilities, his experiences during WWII in Britain, Sicily, and Italy, as well as some aspects of his professional life, including articles, speeches, and correspondence on his activities as a surgeon, surgeon in chief, professor of surgery, and as McGill’s principal, inclusive 1912-1998. In particular, his tenure as McGill’s principal is characterized by records in diverse formats such as personal diaries, correspondence files, newspaper and magazine clippings, photographs, and related ephemera reflecting his administrative duties, including the changes he implemented at McGill, as well as his efforts to cope with radical student behaviour and the Quebec government’s unwillingness to provide McGill with much needed financial assistance. Robertson’s retirement activities are also reflected in the records. Also included are numerous documents that reveal his interest in rare English dictionaries, rare books, and the history of medicine, in particular the history of surgical techniques. The fonds consist of 18 boxes with some files arranged into subject categories while others have a chronological arrangement scheme.

The series consist of 1) Diaries; 2) Publications and Research Notes; 3) Speeches; 4) Personal and Family Related Materials; 5) Student Years at Brentwood College and McGill; 6) Medical and Professional Activities; 7) McGill Principalship and Administrative Activities; and 7) Awards and Honours.

This series consists of H. Rocke Robertson’s private life, documented in a series of correspondence with his father, Harold Bruce Robertson, Justice of Appeal, British Columbia; his Uncle, Dr. Edward M. Eberts, known as Uncle Ted; his brothers, Alexander Bruce Robertson, known as Bruce and Alan McGregor Robertson; and his sister, Ethel Marian Robertson, known as Marian, 1915 1926, 1962-1979 (Container 4, Files 85, 89; Container 3, Files 60, 63), as well as personal papers which include Robertson’s birth certificate, expired passports, and CVs 1912 1978, 1996 (Container 4, Files 83 84; Container 19, File 267 . Files pertaining to Robertson’s father’s role on the Court of Appeal of British Columbia are also included, 1943 (Container 20, File 285-286) as are documents recognizing Robertson’s acts of kindness in his personal life including one such incident where he exchanged his first class seat on Trans Canada Airlines for the coach seat of a sick child, 1963 (Container 1, File 24).

Of particular interest are the correspondence files photos, and news clippings in the form of a scrapbook, which circulated between Robertson’s father, his Uncle Ted Eberts, and Robertson discussing strategic plans for his career path, marriage, and financial situation, 1935-1936 (Container 4, File 91). Robertson also maintained a regular correspondence with his brother, Bruce, a lawyer in British Columbia, from whom he sought advice on such matters as the McGill Daily Affair and the Stanley Gray Dismissal, among more personal subject matters, 1939-1969, 1939-1989 (Container 8, File 165; (Container 11, File 194 ). Other personal correspondence consists of birthday cards, congratulatory cards for his many achievements, and letters from Family members and friends, 1953, 1955-1986, 1994-1997 (Container 4, File 94; Container 3, Files 61-62, 64-66, 68, 70; Container 8, File 173). Also of note is a letter from his neighbour James or “Jasper” Cross, in which Cross thanks Robertson for greeting him on his return from captivity during the FLQ crisis while congratulating Robertson on his wise decision to move to Ontario due to the perceived dangers to prominent Anglophones in Quebec (Container 3,
File 66).

This series also contains documents pertaining to Robertson’s properties, for example, photos of his numerous private residences, 1956 1971, 2001 (Container 4, Files 93, 111); information on the sale of “Struan”, his retirement home; as well as information on his investments and donations, including the division of his estate and chattels amongst family members, 1948-1998 (Container 3, Files 71-77). Personal letters received during his principalship discuss topics such as his mother’s declining health as well as letters from his nieces and nephews that recount such events as the loss of Toni Robertson’s baby teeth, 1962-1966 (Container 3, Files 60, 69). These letters reflect the space that Robertson reserved for his family, even during times of professional stress and turbulence.

His interest in his lineage is evident through files that document his family’s genealogy, including a detailed family tree, 1984-1994 (Container 4, Files 82, 86). This series contains documents in diverse formats, such as photos, travel brochures, and postcards from a family trip to Europe in 1958 (Container 4, Files 81, 89), as well as other vacations with friends and family (Container 15, Files 226 228, 232). Additional correspondence files, newspaper clippings, in the form of wedding announcements, and photographs pertain to family related events such as Robertson’s courtship and marriage to Beatrice Rosyln, 1935-1936 (Container 4, File 91), and to the celebration of the Robertsons’ Fiftieth Wedding Anniversary 1987 Container 2, File 43). Robertson’s courtship was largely documented through letters that circulated between his Uncle Ted, his father, and Thomas Arnold, Rolly’s father.

Several files, including health notes and medical charts on Robertson and his wife that were compiled by caregivers, 1997-1998 (Container 2, File 44), condolence letters and cards on the death of H. Rocke Robertson, 1998 (Container 2, File 45; Container 8, File 174), H. Rocke Robertson’s obituary, 1998 (Container 3, File 78), and memorial service, 1998 (Container 1, File 14) were added to the archives by Stuart Robertson following H. Rocke Robertson’s death.

Robertson’s interest in rare English dictionaries and his penchant for collecting are reflected in his personal library of dictionaries, numbering almost 500, which he donated to the University of British Columbia, 1986-1994 (Container 2, Files 38-40). Numerous articles and correspondence files reinforce his interest in this subject, 1976-1989, 1981, 1969-1991 (Container 2, Files 41, 58; Container 8, File 168). In particular, letters to his friend, Geoffrey Keynes, a William Blake Scholar and collector, suggest that Keynes may have been the stimulus for Robertson’ interest in collecting, 1989-1994 (Container 4, File 82). His membership in the Osler Society and the H. Rocke Robertson Rare Book Room in McGill’s Osler Library which houses Robertson’s rare book donation to McGill, coupled with conferences he attended on the history of medicine signify his interest in this topic, 1970-1998, 1927-2005, 1979 (Container 1, Files 15-18, 20; Container 3, Files 1/80 3/80; (Container 8, File 159). Robertson’s interest in the creative arts is reflected through the plethora of theatre and opera brochures and pamphlets that he preserved 1965-1983 (Container 15, File 231).

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).

This series consists of correspondence with Robertson’s family, addressed to his father and family, dealing with daily school activities and athletic accomplishments; as well, several letters, postcards, artifacts, and photos document Robertson’s educational and travel experiences in Switzerland, 1925-1926 (Container 4, File 89). Also included are Rhodes scholarship nomination letters, written by Brentwood College and St. Michael’s School teachers, praising Robertson’s academic ability, athletic prowess, and natural leadership skills. Although he applied, he did not receive this scholarship. Robertson’s early leadership potential manifested itself in his appointment as head prefect at St. Michael’s School and as head boy during his time at Brentwood College. This series also includes photos of tennis and rugby sports teams, medals, and school crests, 1929-1931 (Container 4, File 90).

During his last two years at McGill, H. Rocke Robertson received the distinction of being the top medical student, which is documented through newspaper clippings, 1935-1936 (Container 1, File 2). Also included in the series are mock menus reflecting the comedic efforts of medical students, 1935-1936 (Container 1, File 2). Several artifacts, including McGill crests and tennis crests, 1930-1935 (Container 7, File 144) reflect Robertson’s scholarly and athletic achievements at McGill.