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John Ross Robertson was a great Torontonian and a man of many hats. During his life, Robertson was, among many things, a newspaper publisher, philanthropist, politician and businessman. Born in Toronto in 1841, Robertson attended Upper Canada College and published a student newspaper there called Young Canada, among the first of its kind in Canada.

In 1876, Robertson established the highly popular newspaper, the Evening Telegram. As the newspaper continued to thrive, a prominent home was established at the corner of Bay and Melinda Streets. The Telegram was known to reflect Conservative Toronto and operated until 1971. Robertson entered the world of politics in 1896 as an MP for Toronto East, a term that lasted until 1900.

Robertson gave generously to Sick Kid’s Hospital as well as numerous other organizations. He was also an avid sportsman, acting as President of the Ontario Hockey Association, called for a time the “Father of Amateur Hockey in Ontario.” He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame where he remains an important personality in the history of the organization.

Robertson lived in a home on Sherbourne Street that’s marked by an historical plaque. He is also remembered by John Ross Robertson Public School located on Glengrove Avenue. Robertson also published a valuable work that’s still used by researchers of Toronto history today, titled “Landmarks of Toronto.”

Robertson is located on the far left side of this photo (circa 1916-1918) wearing a top hat, looking far into the distance.

Sources:
http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?
PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0006873SUBReadings

Many thanks to both Gary Switzer of MOD Developments and Maya Bilbao for putting together the photos and research.