Robert Sutherland facts for kids
Robert Sutherland (1830–1878) was born in Jamaica. He was the first Black person known to graduate from a Canadian university. He was also the first Black man to study law in British North America.
Robert Sutherland graduated from Queen's University. He then became a lawyer in Ontario. He studied at Osgoode Law School. For 20 years, he worked as a lawyer in Walkerton, Ontario. When he passed away in 1878, Sutherland left all his money, $12,000, to Queen's University. This was a huge amount, about the same as the university's entire yearly budget back then. It was the biggest gift the school had ever received. His donation saved the university from serious money problems during a banking crisis.
Honoring Robert Sutherland at Queen's University
Scholarship for Students
The Sutherland Memorial Entrance Bursary is like a scholarship. It was started by the Afro-Caribe Community Foundation of Kingston and District. Friends and supporters of the Foundation also helped. This award helps students who are starting any program at Queen's University. To get it, students need to show they need financial help, have good grades, and are involved in the African or Caribbean communities in Canada. Students must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
Plaque in Grant Hall
The City of Kingston put up a special plaque to remember Robert Sutherland. It is in the main entrance of Grant Hall. This happened in 1974 when George Speal was the Mayor.
Students Lead the Way in 1997
In January 1997, students at Queen's University formed a group called the AMS Robert Sutherland Task Force (RSTF). Their goal was to find a place on campus to honor Robert Sutherland. He was the university's first big donor and its first Black graduate. The RSTF group made suggestions that led to several new ways to remember him.
Guest Speaker Series
The Robert Sutherland Visitorship was created in 1997. Each year, it brings a special guest speaker to Queen's University. These speakers are experts in fairness, community diversity, and race relations.
Some of the past speakers include: Esmerelda Thornhill, a Black Canadian historian; Enid Lee, an international consultant; Ken Wiwa, a journalist; Patricia McFadden, an activist; Faith Nolan, a singer; William Commanda, an elder; George Elliott Clarke, a poet; Afua Cooper, a poet; and Lawrence Hill, a novelist.
Leadership Award
The Sutherland Prize is given every year by the Alma Mater Society. It goes to a graduating student of color. This student must have shown leadership and helped make the campus more diverse.
Debating Excellence Award
The Alma Mater Society also gives out the Robert Sutherland Award for Excellence in Debating each year. This award goes to a member of the Debating Union. The person must have been an outstanding helper to the Union. They must also have shown fair play and good sportsmanship. They should also have shown great skill and dedication while debating for Queen's University in national or international competitions.
Special Room Named After Sutherland
The Robert Sutherland Room is located in the John Deutsch University Centre. In October 1997, the Queen's University Board of Trustees decided to name the Billiard Room after Sutherland. This was to remember his very generous gift to Queen's, which was the first large donation the university ever received.
This room is used for meetings, talks, and performances. It has a plaque that tells about Sutherland and a board showing the winners of the Sutherland Prize. The room was updated and officially rededicated by the university on November 29, 2006.
Debate Tournament
The Sutherland IV is a debate tournament held every year by the Queen's Debating Union. Different universities compete in it. Robert Sutherland was the treasurer of the Debating Union (then called the Dialectic Society) from 1850 to 1851.
Policy Studies Building Becomes Robert Sutherland Hall
On February 24, 2009, the university announced a big change. The Board of Trustees voted to rename the Policy Studies Building in honor of Robert Sutherland. This happened after students started a campaign to rename a building for him. Student leaders like Michael Ceci, Leora Jackson, Talia Radcliffe, and Jeff Welsh helped get support for this idea across campus. The university's principal, Tom Williams, also supported the campaign.
The dedication ceremony for Robert Sutherland Hall took place on October 3, 2009. The building is at 138 Union Street. Its signs were changed in early summer 2009 to show the new name. People on campus started using the new name almost right away.
Other Ways He Is Remembered
The Walkerton branch of the Bruce County Public Library has a special area called the Robert Sutherland Archives Room. This library is on the same spot where Sutherland's office and home used to be.
See also
- Queen's University
- Alma Mater Society of Queen's University
- George Monro Grant
