Alexander Rocke Robertson
Encyclopedia
Alexander Rocke Robertson (May 12, 1841 – December 1, 1881) was a Canadian
lawyer, judge, and politician.
Born in Chatham
, Canada West, the second son of Alexander Rocke Robertson and Effie Eberts, Robertson attended the Caradoc Academy and then studied law in Chatham. He was called to the bar in 1863 and practiced law in Windsor
. He moved to British Columbia
in 1864 arriving in Victoria, British Columbia
. He found work as an editor for the newspaper Daily Chronicle since he was unable to practice as a lawyer since only British trained lawyers were allow to practice. In 1864, the rules were changed and Robertson was admitted to the bar of Vancouver Island. He was a founding member of the Law Society of British Columbia in 1869.
In 1870, he served one term as mayor of Victoria. He was elected to the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia
in 1871
for the electoral district of Esquimalt
. He was appointed provincial secretary
in the cabinet of John Foster McCreight
. He did not run in 1875 returning to his law practice.
In 1880, he was appointed to the Supreme Court of British Columbia
. He injured his knee while swimming in the summer of 1881 and had his leg amputated in November 1881. He died soon after in 1881.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
lawyer, judge, and politician.
Born in Chatham
Chatham, Ontario
Chatham is the largest community in the municipality of Chatham-Kent, Ontario. Formerly serving as the seat of Kent County, the governments of the former city of Chatham, the county of Kent, and its townships were merged into one entity known as the Municipality of Chatham-Kent in 1998.Located on...
, Canada West, the second son of Alexander Rocke Robertson and Effie Eberts, Robertson attended the Caradoc Academy and then studied law in Chatham. He was called to the bar in 1863 and practiced law in Windsor
Windsor, Ontario
Windsor is the southernmost city in Canada and is located in Southwestern Ontario at the western end of the heavily populated Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. It is within Essex County, Ontario, although administratively separated from the county government. Separated by the Detroit River, Windsor...
. He moved to British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
in 1864 arriving in Victoria, British Columbia
Victoria, British Columbia
Victoria is the capital city of British Columbia, Canada and is located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island off Canada's Pacific coast. The city has a population of about 78,000 within the metropolitan area of Greater Victoria, which has a population of 360,063, the 15th most populous Canadian...
. He found work as an editor for the newspaper Daily Chronicle since he was unable to practice as a lawyer since only British trained lawyers were allow to practice. In 1864, the rules were changed and Robertson was admitted to the bar of Vancouver Island. He was a founding member of the Law Society of British Columbia in 1869.
In 1870, he served one term as mayor of Victoria. He was elected to the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia
Legislative Assembly of British Columbia
The Legislative Assembly of British Columbia is one of two components of the Parliament of British Columbia, the provincial parliament ....
in 1871
British Columbia general election, 1871
Formerly a British colony, British Columbia became a province of Canada on July 20, 1871. An interim Cabinet was appointed by the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, and election writs for the first general election were issued to choose 25 members of the first provincial legislature from 12...
for the electoral district of Esquimalt
Esquimalt (electoral district)
Esquimalt was a provincial electoral district in the province of British Columbia, Canada. It was one of the province's first twelve ridings upon its entry into Confederation. It was originally a two-member riding...
. He was appointed provincial secretary
Provincial Secretary
The Provincial Secretary was a senior position in the executive councils of British North America's colonial governments, and was retained by the Canadian provincial governments for at least a century after Canadian Confederation was proclaimed in 1867...
in the cabinet of John Foster McCreight
John Foster McCreight
John Foster McCreight QC was a jurist and the first Premier of the Canadian province of British Columbia.-Early life:...
. He did not run in 1875 returning to his law practice.
In 1880, he was appointed to the Supreme Court of British Columbia
Supreme Court of British Columbia
The Supreme Court of British Columbia is the superior trial court for the province of British Columbia. The BCSC hears civil and criminal law cases as well as appeals from the Provincial Court of British Columbia. Including supernumerary judges, there are presently 108 judges...
. He injured his knee while swimming in the summer of 1881 and had his leg amputated in November 1881. He died soon after in 1881.