John Bartlet Brebner: The Private Man Behind the Professional Historian

Abstract

The Siamese Twins of and North Atlantic Triangle are terms coined by Canadian historian John Bartlet and now anchored in any study of Canada and Canadian-American relations. Carl Berger, in his 1976 seminal work The Writing of Canadian History, included among those who completely transformed Canadian historiography, but omitted a chapter specifically devoted to Brebner. G.A. Rawlyk, in his review article two years later, detailed Brebner's contributions, especially in Maritime history and geography. This constituted a start on missing chapter. Like those emphasized by Berger, George Wrong, Adam Shortt, Chester Martin, Harold Innis, Arthur Lower, Frank Underhill, Donald Creighton, and William L. Morton, Brebner ought to have been included.., among so-called 'major figures.' (1) Since 1970s, has remained a Canadian historian noted in works on Canada and Canadian-American relations by both those who knew him well and those who referenced his works. But he has been overlooked in historiographic works in these fields. For example, in Karl Bicha's recent article, Five Canadian Historians and U.S.A., was mentioned as he was passed over. (2) Others have sought to redress Brebner's omission; Rohit Aggarwala's article 'Non-Resident Me:' John Bartler and Canadian Historical Profession is one such article. Aggarwala contests Brebner' s marginalization by Canadian historical community. His article seeks to elevate in Canadian hisroriography and place him in his rightful place as one of Canada's significant historians. (3) Past works on have focused on professional historian. It is inherently difficult to write biography based primarily on public papers, and there is always potential of formulating erroneous inferences and conclusions from this public record. Private papers, of course, go a long way to illuminate decision-making process that might have been hidden from public eye. This article is a historical narrative that utilizes Brebner's private papers and letters. By adding private man to professional historian, a clearer and fuller picture emerges. Additionally, as twenty-first century dawns and concerns over Canadian sovereignty continue unabated, Brebner's belief that Canada and United States are inseparable within American triangle still resonates. merits a deeper examination of man and his contributions to Canadian and Canadian-American historical communities. was British by heritage, Canadian by birth, and educated in Canada, Great Britain, and United States. While other Canadian historians, such as C.P. Stacey, were also educated in these three English-speaking nations, was unusual in that he remained a Canadian scholar while living outside country of his birth. He was an educator stationed in United States who also taught in Britain and Canada at various times in his life and who had a lifetime association with individuals and professional associations in all three nations. Historian and Cambridge colleague Ronald Robinson believed that [t]hrough his work three nations which had helped to make could understand each other better. And, as Rawlyk notes, was '[o]n creative edge' of Canadian historical writing [and]... one of few Canadian historians with a genuine international reputation. (4) Brebner's voluminous works, spanning a twenty-two-year period, included monographs on solely British and Canadian topics, as well as books and articles on bilateral continental relationship and triangular relationship. As relevant today as it was in his day, consistently strove to bring Canada and its history Out of shadows and into light for American and British audiences. Even as Canada and United States were to the Siamese Twins of America who cannot separate and live, he realized that their history could not be written without Britain. …