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.
Consists of the BCSA constitution, electoral procedure documents, nomination forms, the Brandon College Crests and Awards Board constitution, the Brandon College Finance Board constitution, the Brandon College Athletic Board/Athletic Council constitution, the Brandon College Board of Publications constitution, the Brandon College Literary Board constitution, the Sigma Mu constitution, and BCSA statistical summary of Committee meetings.
Consists of a record of social affairs to be kept for reference listing various social events along with the preparations for and activities at each event.
Storage Location
RG 1 Brandon College fonds
Series 8: Brandon College Students Association
Sub-series consists of accession records listing the accession number, author, title, publisher, cost and “source” for each book accessioned into the Brandon College Library. It includes a total of 10 accession catalogues covering the period December 1899 - June 1965: 2 accession catalogues (12x18x5) and 8 accession catalogues (9x12x .75 cm)
Storage Location
RG 1 Brandon College fonds
Series 15: Brandon College Library
For biographical information onf Angus McPherson and Mrs. (Ella) Johnston McPherson see the description for Box 6 of the Alfred Angus Murray McPherson collection. For biographical information on Thomas and Annie Pentland see the descrption for Box 10 of the Alfred Angus Murray McPherson collection.
Scope and Content
Contains the following files:
14.1 Account books [1906-1916]
14.2 Farmers pocket ledger [1935]
14.3 Mrs. Johnston McPherson - field book [1921-1944]
14.4 Account day book 1913-1915
14.5 Annie I. Pentland - miscellaneous records and accounts 1916-1934
14.6 Thomas Pentland account book 1917-1932
14.7 Thomas Pentland blacksmith account book 1882-1883
14.8 Angus McPherson account book 1916-1941
Notes
Part of the Alfred Angus Murray McPherson collection.
For biographical information on Hugh and Margaret McPherson see the description for Box 5 of the Alfred Angus Murray McPherson collection.
For biographical information on Johnston and Angus McPherson see the descrption for Box 6 of the Alfred Angus Murray McPherson collection.
For biographical information on Murray McPherson see the fonds level description for the Alfred Angus Murray McPherson collection.
Howard Johnston McPherson, the oldest son of Angus and Ethel (Pentland) McPherson, was born on July 6, 1920. He graduated from Brandon Collegiate in 1938 and joined his father on the farm. In 1941, he joined the R.C.A.F. and trained as an air engine mechanic. Returning from Europe in 1945, Howard continued to live with his parents until his marriage to Jessie Walsh (b. March 21, 1922) of Sceptre, SK on June 18, 1955. Together they had three children: Muriel Ruth (m. Cody Johnson); Nancy Carol (m. Dennis Mauthe); and Donald Howard (m. Ann). The family farmed in the Brandon Hills district. Howard died on May 2, 2005.
Scope and Content
Contains the following files:
16.1 Hugh and Margaret McPherson account book 1879
16.2 McPherson Farm cash book (Hugh, Johnston, Angus) 1906-1912
16.3 McPherson Farm account book 1890's
16.4 Cash book 1953
16.5 Cash book [1943-1949]
16.6 Angus McPherson - Canadian Wheat Board emergency cheque correspondence 1949
16.7 Angus McPherson - insurance documents 1948-1950
16.8 Murray McPherson - agreement between SC Area #1 and District Association 1951
16.9 Angus McPherson - Canadian Wheat Board permits (8) 1944-1954
16.10 Angus McPherson - cattle inventories 1951-1952
16.11 Howard and Angus McPherson miscellaneous farm correspondence 1950-1953
16.12 Documents re: Angus McPherson estate 1951-1954
16.13 Income tax forms and documents 1945-1953
Notes
Part of the Alfred Angus Murray McPherson collection.
