26 Facts About Robert Brett

Robert George Brett was a politician and physician in the North-West Territories and Alberta, Canada, and was the second lieutenant governor of Alberta.

James Robert Brett was a farmer and carpenter, and later worked as a merchant and insurance agent.

Robert Brett briefly practised in the small village of Arkona, Ontario, from 1874 to 1879, and during this time Robert Brett completed his postgraduate work in New York City, Philadelphia and later in 1894, Vienna, Austria.

Robert Brett moved west to Winnipeg sometime between 1880 and 1882.

Robert Brett arrived during a real estate boom in Winnipeg, which subsequently crashed causing Robert Brett to lose his investments.

Robert Brett later sat as a board member on the University of Manitoba.

In June 1884, Robert Brett returned to Calgary and the mountains to provide medical services to the CPR.

Robert Brett established a temporary field hospital in Laggan, where he was joined by his brother Dr William Robert Brett, who died during the period.

Later in 1889, Dr Lindsay relinquished his CPR medical contract, which Robert Brett added to his own, becoming responsible for all CPR medical care west of Calgary to Donald, British Columbia.

Robert Brett was a strong proponent of standardized examination and licensing in the medical profession, and in 1909 proposed the four western provinces form a licensing body for medical practitioners in the West.

Robert Brett constructed the Grand View Villa at the hot springs themselves, which served as the first permanent bathing house at the hot springs.

Robert Brett's nomination had taken place without his knowledge while he was on a trip in central Canada.

Robert Brett became a de facto leader of the government as chairman of the Lieutenant-Governor's Advisory Council.

Robert Brett had a rivalry with long-time member Frederick Haultain.

Robert Brett continued to hold his position and, in 1891 with Advisory Council member John Felton Betts, travelled to Ottawa to advocate for constitutional change towards more responsible government.

Robert Brett was returned by acclamation in the 1891 Northwest Territories general election as the member for Banff.

In 1898 Robert Brett became the first Leader of the Official Opposition during a time in which the territorial legislature made a transition to party politics.

Robert Brett contested the results of the election on grounds of "irregularities" in accordance with Section 106 of The Territories Elections Ordinance.

Robert Brett did so, and when Brett eventually arrived to give a speech nearly identical to the one Sifton had given on his behalf he was puzzled by the audience's amusement.

Robert Brett unexpectedly dropped out of the 1902 election, a move that hurt the North-West Territories Liberal Party.

Robert Brett was appointed the second lieutenant governor of Alberta by Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn, Governor General, on October 20,1915, on the advice of Prime Minister Robert Borden.

Robert Brett was re-appointed for a second term on December 16,1920.

In 1918, Premier Charles Stewart requested Robert Brett retire Attorney General Charles Wilson Cross, who had refused to tender his resignation in hopes a compromise with the premier could be reached.

Robert Brett died in Calgary on September 16,1929; he was buried in the Banff Cemetery.

Robert Brett received an honorary doctorate of laws from the University of Alberta in 1915.

The Banff Curling Club, which Robert Brett helped found in 1900, named the Robert Brett Trophy in his honour.