Memorable Manitobans: Robert Stirton Thornton (1863-1936)

Physician, MLA (1908-1910), MLA (1914-1915), MLA (1916-1920), MLA (1921-1922).

Born at Edinburgh, Scotland on 8 May 1863, son of David Thornton and Mary Gavin, he was educated at Heriot’s Hospital School from 7 to 15 years of age. He graduated with a medical degree from Edinburgh University in 1884 and came to Canada later that year, establishing a medical practice at Deloraine, Manitoba, which he maintained until retirement in 1931. He also served as health officer for the Rural Municipality of Winchester.

On 30 April 1889, he married Mary Johnston, a daughter of Irish immigrants Robert Johnston and Ann Frazer. He was a member of the IOOF and the Masons, having been grand master of the local lodge of the latter organization from 1900 to 1902. He was elected to the Manitoba Legislature in 1907, was defeated in 1910 and elected again in 1914, serving until 1922. He was Minister of Education in the Norris government (1915-1922). He was President of the Manitoba Medical Council in 1896 and President of the Medical Council of Canada. He was given an honorary degree by Queen’s University (Kingston).

In 1931, he retired to Vancouver, British Columbia where he died on 17 September 1936.

See also:

Historic Sites of Manitoba: Grove School No. 455 (1885-1966)

Sources:

Who’s Who in Western Canada: A Biographical Dictionary of Notable Living Men and Women of Western Canada, Volume 1, edited by C. W. Parker, Vancouver: Canadian Press Association, 1911.

The Story of Manitoba by F. H. Schofield, Winnipeg: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1913.

Pioneers and Prominent People of Manitoba, Winnipeg: Canadian Publicity Company, 1925.

“Noted doctor of Manitoba dies at coast”, Winnipeg Free Press, 19 September 1936. [Manitoba Legislative Library, Biographical Scrapbook B9]

Members of the Legislative Assembly (deceased), Legislative Assembly of Manitoba.

This profile was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.

Profile revised: 26 February 2012

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