In memoriam: Professor Emeritus Ann Provost Robson

Posted on by Christine Leonardo

In memoriam: Professor Emeritus Ann Provost Robson

Updated: A Memorial Resolution submitted to the Senate of Victoria University presented by Professor Kenneth Bartlett. Please see the attached pdf: PROFESSOR ANN ROBSON.

Dear Colleagues,

We have just received the sad news that our former colleague, Professor Ann Provost Robson, has passed away. Ann Robson taught British History in our Department for three decades from 1967 until 1997. I have included her obituary here, together with details regarding a celebration of her life which is to take place on Saturday 6 June.

Very best,
Nick

Ann Robson

Ann Provost (Wilkinson) Robson          
2 December 1931 – 3 May 2015

Born to Bertie and Edith (Provost) Wilkinson in Manchester, England, Ann moved with her family to Toronto in 1938.

She attended Brown School and Havergal College, and earned her BA and MA at the University of Toronto. She married John (Jack) M. Robson in 1953 and received her PhD from the University of London in 1958. Ann was professor of history at the University of Toronto, specializing in 19th century Britain, from 1967 until her retirement in 1997. She was active and a leader in many professional, cultural and community organizations, including the Arts and Letters Club, the Republic of Rathnelly, and the Madawaska Club at Go Home Bay.

A loving mother to William (Helen), John (Brigitte) and Ann Christine (Ben), and devoted grandmother to Maria, Jim and Christine Robson, to Catherine, Jennifer and Rebecca Robson, and to Lisa, Andrew and Michael Bacque. Predeceased by her loving husband and academic collaborator Jack Robson (1927-1995) and her brother John Wilkinson. Distinguished by her energy and lively wit, she will be much missed and fondly remembered by her immediate family, nieces and nephews, former colleagues and friends.

A celebration of Ann’s life will take place at 226 Glengrove Avenue West, Toronto, on Saturday June 6th from 5:00 to 9:00 pm. The family would appreciate donations to the Bertie Wilkinson Scholarship at the University of Toronto (www.donate.utoronto.ca/history).