Robie Lewis Reid
Encyclopedia
Robie Lewis Reid often referred to as Robie Reid, was a noted historian and jurist in British Columbia
, Canada
. Reid wrote many books and essays on the history of British Columbia
, but his special interest was the study of the works of Rudyard Kipling
Another special field of interest was thet coins of early British Columbia, concerning which he remains one of the main authorities.
in 1885 to write the provincial teacher's examination. During this experience he met Frederic W. Howay, with whom he established a personal and professional relationship that lasted sixty years. Reid persuaded Howay to return to Nova Scotia with him to register for Law at Dalhousie University
, from which they graduated together in 1890 and in 1893 formed the lawfirm Howay & Reid. Reid was appointed debenture
commissioner for New Westminster
after that city's Great Fire in 1898.
In 1907 Reid joined William J. Bowser
, then Attorney-General of British Columbia and later Premier
, and D.S. Wallbridge to form Bowser, Reid & Wallbridge. From 1927 to 1943 Reid was a Bencher of the Law Society of British Columbia. Reid was also a member of the UBC board of governors from 1913 to 1935, and President of the British Columbia Historical Association in 1937, and is credited with the founding of the British Columbia Historical Quarterly. He was made a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada
in 1936, and was also a Member of the American Historical Association
, Washington.
Dr. Reid's interests in literature and the arts are also well documented. He was the first President of the Vancouver Little Theatre Association, and a member and chairman of the Board of the Vancouver Public Library
.
He died on February 6, 1945 of failing health.
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...
, Canada
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...
. Reid wrote many books and essays on the history of British Columbia
History of British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost province in Canada. Originally politically constituted as a pair of British colonies, British Columbia joined the Canadian Confederation on July 20, 1871.-Early history :...
, but his special interest was the study of the works of Rudyard Kipling
Rudyard Kipling
Joseph Rudyard Kipling was an English poet, short-story writer, and novelist chiefly remembered for his celebration of British imperialism, tales and poems of British soldiers in India, and his tales for children. Kipling received the 1907 Nobel Prize for Literature...
Another special field of interest was thet coins of early British Columbia, concerning which he remains one of the main authorities.
Biography
Reid was born in Cornwallis Township,Kings County, Nova Scotia, in the community of Steam Mill Village on November 3, 1866 but ventured to British Columbia in 1885 to Victoria, British ColumbiaVictoria, 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...
in 1885 to write the provincial teacher's examination. During this experience he met Frederic W. Howay, with whom he established a personal and professional relationship that lasted sixty years. Reid persuaded Howay to return to Nova Scotia with him to register for Law at Dalhousie University
Dalhousie University
Dalhousie University is a public research university located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. The university comprises eleven faculties including Schulich School of Law and Dalhousie University Faculty of Medicine. It also includes the faculties of architecture, planning and engineering located at...
, from which they graduated together in 1890 and in 1893 formed the lawfirm Howay & Reid. Reid was appointed debenture
Debenture
A debenture is a document that either creates a debt or acknowledges it. In corporate finance, the term is used for a medium- to long-term debt instrument used by large companies to borrow money. In some countries the term is used interchangeably with bond, loan stock or note...
commissioner for New Westminster
New Westminster, British Columbia
New Westminster is an historically important city in the Lower Mainland region of British Columbia, Canada, and is a member municipality of the Greater Vancouver Regional District. It was founded as the capital of the Colony of British Columbia ....
after that city's Great Fire in 1898.
In 1907 Reid joined William J. Bowser
William John Bowser
William John Bowser was a politician in British Columbia, Canada. He served as Premier of British Columbia from 1915 to 1916....
, then Attorney-General of British Columbia and later Premier
Premier of British Columbia
The Premier of British Columbia is the first minister, head of government, and de facto chief executive for the Canadian province of British Columbia. Until the early 1970s the title Prime Minister of British Columbia was often used...
, and D.S. Wallbridge to form Bowser, Reid & Wallbridge. From 1927 to 1943 Reid was a Bencher of the Law Society of British Columbia. Reid was also a member of the UBC board of governors from 1913 to 1935, and President of the British Columbia Historical Association in 1937, and is credited with the founding of the British Columbia Historical Quarterly. He was made a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada
Royal Society of Canada
The Royal Society of Canada , may also operate under the more descriptive name RSC: The Academies of Arts, Humanities and Sciences of Canada , is the oldest association of scientists and scholars in Canada...
in 1936, and was also a Member of the American Historical Association
American Historical Association
The American Historical Association is the oldest and largest society of historians and professors of history in the United States. Founded in 1884, the association promotes historical studies, the teaching of history, and the preservation of and access to historical materials...
, Washington.
Dr. Reid's interests in literature and the arts are also well documented. He was the first President of the Vancouver Little Theatre Association, and a member and chairman of the Board of the Vancouver Public Library
Vancouver Public Library
The Vancouver Public Library is the third largest public library system in Canada, with more than 2.5 million items in its collections, 22 branches, approximately 375,000 cardholders, and nearly nine million item borrowings annually...
.
He died on February 6, 1945 of failing health.
Legacy
- Mount Robie ReidMount Robie ReidMount Robie Reid is a mountain in the southern end of the Garibaldi Ranges overlooking the Lower Mainland region of British Columbia, Canada. It lies to the north of Mission, British Columbia, Canada and on the west side of the upper end of Stave Lake, and to the northeast of the group of summits...
to the north of the Maple RidgeMaple Ridge, British ColumbiaMaple Ridge is a District Municipality in British Columbia, located in the northeastern section of Metro Vancouver. Maple Ridge has a population of approximately 68,949.-History:...
and Mission, British ColumbiaMission, British ColumbiaMission, the core of which was formerly known as Mission City, is a district municipality in the province of British Columbia, Canada. It is situated on the north bank of the Fraser River overlooking the City of Abbotsford and with that city is part of the Central Fraser Valley. Mission is the...
, near the Golden EarsGolden EarsGolden Ears may refer to:* Golden ear, a term for a person with an above-standard sense of hearing* Golden Ears a mountain in British Columbia** Golden Ears Provincial Park, a provincial park in British Columbia, Canada...
, was named in commemoration of Reid, Mount Judge HowayMount Judge HowayMount Judge Howay, originally the Snow Peaks , is a distinctive twin summit located from the north end of Stave Lake, and is visible from many of the peaks around Vancouver, British Columbia.-Name:...
just to the northeast was named for his colleague F.W. Howay. - The Howay-Reid Collection at the University of British ColumbiaUniversity of British ColumbiaThe University of British Columbia is a public research university. UBC’s two main campuses are situated in Vancouver and in Kelowna in the Okanagan Valley...
was founded by Reid's donation of his personal book collection of 9,000 books, over 4,000 pamphlets, and a collection of assorted other media, including maps, photographs, correspondences, plus 50,000 file cards naming books he had been searching for. At the time of its creation this was the largest collection of CanadianaCanadianaCanadiana is a term referring to things related to the country of Canada. It is most often used to refer to a class of books somewhat wider than Canadian Literature because it also includes books about Canada as well as Canadian non-fiction works....
anywhere in the country.