Edward A. Braithwaite
Edward Ainslie Braithwaite | |
|---|---|
| Born | 16 February 1862 Alne, Yorkshire, England |
| Died | 7 December 1949 (aged 87) Edmonton, Alberta, Canada |
| Occupations | RCMP medical officer, doctor, coroner |
Edward Ainslie Braithwaite was a long-serving member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, a pioneer doctor, and coroner for over 50 years. He also was an active Freemason for 56 years.[1][2]
Early life
Braithwaite was born in Alne, Yorkshire, England on February 16, 1862, to Reverend William Braithwaite and Laura E. Pipon.[3] He was the brother to Sir Walter Braithwaite, A. Douglas Braithwaite and two sisters, including his twin. He began his medical education at Westward Ho United Service College in Devonshire,[4] then at King's College London.[1] At age 22 he immigrated to Canada in 1884.[1][2]
Career
Braithwaite served in the North-West Mounted Police, RNWMP, and Royal Canadian Mounted Police for a total of 47 years and 8 months; the longest service of any medical member of the force.[5][6]
Braithwaite arrived in Edmonton in 1892 and that same year he opened the first private medical practice in the city.[7] Braithwaite performed the first surgical operation in Edmonton in the late 1890s and made significant contributions to the medical field in Alberta. Braithwaite had the city's first X-ray machine (bought in 1906, which took 20 minutes of hand-cranking to produce an image). He was the Medical Officer of Health and the Coroner for the NWT (before Alberta became a province in 1905). In 1932 Braithwaite was appointed Chief Coroner for the Province as well as the Medical Inspector for hospitals. He served as a coroner for 52 years, and it is estimated that in his career he oversaw over 8,000 inquests.[6]
Braithwaite was Edmonton's first medical health officer, helping create the city's health department. He established the St John's Ambulance Association in Alberta, and served on the Canadian Medical Association.[6] In 1911 he was bestowed the title of Honorary Surgeon to the RCMP.
He was a veteran of the North-West Rebellion, and eyewitness to Louis Riel's execution.[4] Braithwaite had a strong work ethic, working until he was 86 years old.[1][8] In 1944 Braithwaite was awarded a life membership in the Canadian Medical Association.[8]
Freemason
Braithwaite became a Freemason in 1893.[5] He was the Master of Edmonton for 1898. Braithwaite was the Senior Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Alberta when it formed in 1905 (when Alberta became a province).[1] The first Alberta-born Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Alberta had been a baby that Braithwaite delivered; he later presented Braithwaite with his 50th year jewel.[2]
In 1914 Braithwaite acquired the land that the Freemason's Lodge sits upon; he sold it to the Freemasons for $12,500 and attended the sod-turning event on July 12, 1930.[9] He had a long and distinguished career in Freemasonry and was well thought of by his Freemason Brothers.[2]
Legacy
Braithwaite died after a short illness in Edmonton on 7 December 1949.
South of the University Hospital, there is a city park in his name in Edmonton (112 St and University Avenue).[10]
References
- ^ a b c d e "Veteran of Early Police, Dr E Braithwaite dies". No. Page 13. The Edmonton Bulletin. 8 December 1949. Retrieved 8 March 2026.
- ^ a b c d Thomas, O.P. "PIONEER DOCTOR AND FREEMASON OF THE WEST". MasonicWorld.com. p. 2. Retrieved 27 January 2026.
- ^ "Who's Who". The Edmonton Bulletin. 3 Aug 1938. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ a b "RCMP to Honor Pioneer at Funeral Service Saturday". No. Page 26. Edmonton Journal. 8 December 1949. Retrieved 8 March 2026.
- ^ a b "Mountie for Over 47 Years Tell of Northwest Rebellion". No. Page 5. The Windsor Star. 4 Oct 1944. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ a b c "Edward A. Braithwaite". Edmonton Journal. 8 Dec 1949. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ "Dr Edward Braithwaite Banquetted". No. Page. The Weekly Albertan. 13 April 1892. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ a b "Coroner Hale, Hearty Dr E A Braithwaite at 83 busy "working as usual"". No. Page 20. The Edmonton Bulletin. 17 February 1945. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ "Edmonton's Freemasons' Hall" (PDF). Freemasons.ab.ca. Grand Lodge Bulletin Vol 63, No 4. April 1998. Retrieved 27 January 2026.
- ^ "Braithwaite Park". google maps. Retrieved 5 March 2026.