Sir George Douglas Robb (1899–1974) was a New Zealand surgeon, medical reformer, writer, and university chancellor.

Career

He was born at Auckland on 29 April 1899 and educated at the

Auckland Grammar School Auckland Grammar School (often simplified to Auckland Grammar, or Grammar), established in 1869, is a State school, state, Day school, day and Boarding school, boarding secondary school for Single-sex education, boys in Auckland, New Zealand. ...

and at the

University of Otago The University of Otago () is a public university, public research university, research collegiate university based in Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand. Founded in 1869, Otago is New Zealand's oldest university and one of the oldest universities in ...

(MB ChB). Robb had a reputation as something of a maverick and a rebel against the conventional medical establishment, as is discussed in a chapter in Brian Easton's book ''The Nationbuilders''. Robb was influential in the formation of the Auckland Medical School as part of the

University of Auckland The University of Auckland (; Māori: ''Waipapa Taumata Rau'') is a public research university based in Auckland, New Zealand. The institution was established in 1883 as a constituent college of the University of New Zealand. Initially loc ...

. From 1961 to 1962, he held the year-long position of President of the

British Medical Association The British Medical Association (BMA) is a registered trade union and professional body for physician, doctors in the United Kingdom. It does not regulate or certify doctors, a responsibility which lies with the General Medical Council. The BMA ...

. A series of annual lectures at the University of Auckland has been named after Doug Robb. In the 1956 New Year Honours, Robb was appointed a

Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is a British order of chivalry founded on 28 April 1818 by George, Prince of Wales (the future King George IV), while he was acting as prince regent for his father, King George I ...

. He was made a

Knight Bachelor The title of Knight Bachelor is the basic rank granted to a man who has been knighted by the monarch but not inducted as a member of one of the organised Order of chivalry, orders of chivalry; it is a part of the Orders, decorations, and medals ...

in the 1960 Queen's Birthday Honours.

Personal life

Robb was a close friend of the New Zealand poet and writer A. R. D. Fairburn, whose "To a Friend in the Wilderness" was dedicated to Robb. On 6 November 1935, Robb married Helen Seabrook of Auckland. His autobiography, ''Medical Odyssey'' was published in 1967 by Collins Bros. & Co. Ltd., Auckland. Appendix 1 (4 pp.) contains a bibliography of Robb's surgical and medical articles and other writings. W. B. Sutch wrote of Robb: "Robb, unhappy with the politicians, became a foremost thoracic surgeon, and a leader in medical education and research."--''The Quest for Security in New Zealand, 1840–1966''; Oxford, 1966; p. 248. There is a bronze head (1956) and portrait (1961) of Sir Douglas Robb by

John Francis Kavanagh John Francis Kavanagh (24 September 1903 – 18 June 1984) was an Irish sculptor and artist. In 1930 he was awarded the British School at Rome Scholarship in Sculpture. In 1933 he was appointed Head of Department of Sculpture and Modelling at ...

in the University of Auckland Art Collection. Douglas Robb died in his sleep on the morning of his 75th birthday. His widow, Lady Robb, died in the 1979

Mount Erebus disaster The Mount Erebus disaster occurred on 28 November 1979 when Air New Zealand Flight 901 (TE901) flew into Mount Erebus on Ross Island, Antarctica, killing all 237 passengers and 20 crew on board. Air New Zealand had been operating scheduled Anta ...

References

External links

Entry in the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography
* Brian Easton
The Nationbuilders
chapter 6 {{DEFAULTSORT:Robb, Douglas 1899 births 1974 deaths People educated at Auckland Grammar School Medical educators New Zealand thoracic surgeons Academic staff of the University of Auckland University of Otago alumni Presidents of the British Medical Association New Zealand Companions of the Order of St Michael and St George New Zealand Knights Bachelor Chancellors of the University of Auckland Cardiac surgeons New Zealand surgeons

Career

Personal life

References

Further reading

External links