Herbert Alexander Bruce was born at Blackstock, Ontario in 1868. After several years working in a drugstore, he enrolled in the School of Medicine, University of Toronto and graduated in 1892 at the head of his class. He obtained his M.D. in 1893 and ... »
Herbert Alexander Bruce was born at Blackstock, Ontario in 1868. After several years working in a drugstore, he enrolled in the School of Medicine, University of Toronto and graduated in 1892 at the head of his class. He obtained his M.D. in 1893 and went on to further study in England (1894-1896) where he received his Fellowship in the Royal College of Surgeons. Returning to Toronto in 1897 to begin his own surgical practice , he was appointed Associate Professor of Clinical Surgery at University of Toronto, later becoming full Professor and, in 1930, Professor Emeritus. After retiring from active practice in 1932 Dr. Bruce pursued a career in politics. From 1932 to 1937 he was Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario and in 1940 was elected as Member of Parliament for the Toronto riding of Parkdale, serving in the House of Commons until 1946. Dr. Bruce was interested in a wide range of social issues including housing, birth control and medical education and in 1958 he wrote his autobiography, Varied Operations. He died in 1963. He was survived by his wife and his son, Maxwell.
