Encyclopedia of World Art Library Reading Room, 2nd floor Library and Arts Building. Presentation by the Brandon College Alumni Association of a cheque for the final payment on the Encyclopedia of World Art as a memorial to Ernestine R.W. Whiteside, former Lady Principal of Clark Hall. L to R William Bridgett, President, BCAA; F. Joan Garnett, General Secretary, BCAA; Eileen McFadden, College Librarian; Dr. R.F. B. King, Associate Dean of Arts and Chairman, Faculty Library Committee
Two works of art from the University Collection, south end Library Reading Room, McKenzie Building. Naming of the Robbins Library and opening of the Lightbody Reading area. L to R (numbered as on back of picture) 1) Dorothy Luchansky, 2) Lillian Phillips, 3) Prof. Marion Crowhurst ?, 4) Elsie Paterson (Stewart), 5) Stella Tolmie, 6) Shirley Gillespie, 7) Alice Gregory (Orr) (back), 8) Dr. Robert Brockway, 9) Dr. D.N.Wheeler (back), 10) Dr. R.F.B. King (part), 11) Marg. McKinnon Nos. 1-10 University Staff; 11-Mental Health Centre
Library Reading Room, 2nd floor McKenzie Building. Tour of library by members of St. Mary's Ukrainian Catholic Church associated with gifts of funds. L Father Rudachek, 2nd from L Helen Harris, front row: girl on left ___ Zwednicki
Periodicals section as equipped in the early 1970's. Basement Floor, MacKenzie. Tour of Robbins Library by members of St. Mary's Roman (sic) Catholic Church – associated with a gift of funds to the Library
Library Reading Room, looking north, 2nd floor McKenzie Building. Naming of the Library (foreground) L to R: Robert Campbell (student),; Stanley Knowles, M.P & Chancellor
For biographical information see RG 6 Brandon University fonds, Series 3 Office of the President, 3.1 President's files.
Scope and Content
Photograph of John E. Robbins' (painted) portrait.
Notes
The original painting, painted by Frank C. Bensing, is hanging above the door to Government Documents in the John E. Robbins Library. Frank C. Bensing was an American portrait artist (1893-1983). He was a resident of New York City. His most famous subject was Joseph P. Kennedy.
Dr. John Everett Robbins was born 9 October 1903 in Hampton, Ontario the son of John and Gertrude (Brown) Robbins. He married Catherine St. Denis on 11 June 1934 in Ogdens, New York. John Robbins was raised in Darlingford, Manitoba. He attended the University of Manitoba graduating with a B.A. Hon 1928 and M.A.in 1929. Dr. Robbins completed a Ph.D at the University of Ottawa in 1935. From 1936-1951 he was Director of the Education Division, Dominion Bureau of Statistics.
Dr. Robbins helped to found the Canadian Association for Adult Education, the Social Science Research Council of Canada, the Humanities Research Council of Canada, the United Nations Association in Canada, and the Canadian Citizenship Council. In 1942 he became a member of the Board of Directors of Carlton University. Dr. Robbins was active in UNESCO work: he was a member of Canadian Government delegations to foreign conferences, and, in 1951-52, he spent a year as Director of an educational project for Palestinian Refugees in the Middle East.
In 1960, while editor-in-chief of the newly compiled “Encyclopedia Canadiana,” Dr. Robbins was asked to become President of Brandon College. From 1960 to 1967, he oversaw construction of the Arts and Library Building and Lecture Theatre, a Men's Residence, a Dining Hall, a Heating Plant, a Ladies’ Residence, a Music Building, a Physical Education Building and an Education Building. After the university charter was granted in 1967, Dr. Robbins was installed as the first President of Brandon University.
After his retirement from Brandon University Dr. Robbins was appointed Canadian Ambassador to the Vatican 1970-73. In the years after his departure from Brandon, he held many positions including President of World Federalists of Canada 1977-79 and President of the Canadian Writers Foundation
1976-78. Dr. Robbins served as Executive Chairman and Treasurer of Amnesty International in Canada 1973-75.
He was the recipient of an honorary LLD from the University of Manitoba (1967), Carleton University ( 1969) and Brandon University (1974). In 1994, the title President Emeritus of Brandon University was conferred on John Robbins by the Board of Governors of the University. Dr. Robbins died in 1995, at the age of 91.
Scope and Content
Dr. Robbins' administrative records are located in the Brandon University fonds.
Notes
Dr. John E. Robbins archival papers are held at the Library and Archives Canada.
