Law History Profiles

Professor Thomas Martin Franck (‘53), a well-known expert in international law,passed away on May 27, 2009, in his Manhattan home after battling cancer. Professor Franck received his LL.B. from the University of British Columbia Faculty of Law in 1953. He went on to study at Harvard, where he earned a master’s of law degree in 1954 and a doctorate of juridical science in 1959. He joined the New York University School of Law Faculty in 1960, where he remained on Faculty and as the Director of the Center for International Studies until his retirement in 2002.

UBC was saddened by the passing of one its most distinguished faculty members, Dr. Charles Bourne, on June 25, 2012. Dr. Bourne completed a B.A. from the University of Toronto in 1945, an LL.M. from Cambridge in 1947 and an S.J.D. from Harvard Law School in 1970. After several years at the University of Saskatchewan (College of Law), he moved to UBC in 1950 to join Dean George Curtis at the rapidly expanding law school. In 1957, Dr. Bourne was named a full professor. Dr.

Richard Fraser Gosse, Q.C., known across Canada as Dick Gosse, was a lawyer of many careers, all of them pursued with flair and verve. He died in Vancouver on November 18, 2008. Few have had a legal career filled with such adventure, changing positions and new challenges, all of which were characterized by enthusiasm, delight in novel circumstances and great success.

Ray Herbert has arrived at the office of Treasurer by a different route than his colleagues. His background has been the Faculty of Law at U.B.C., almost from its start. Ray was born in Calgary, Alberta. Although “warlike” is the last adjective which could be chosen to describe him, he joined the 14th Calgary Regiment (Cavalry) at the tender age of seventeen and then joined the R.C.A.F. as soon as he was able; shipping over to England, and flew many missions in Halifaxes ...

UBC alumnus Douglas McK. Brown was a true son of British Columbia having been born, educated and practiced here. He cared passionately about this place and his vocation. Brown’s profound respect for the courts was exceeded only by his higher regard for the profession.

Brown was born in Vancouver in 1912 and was educated at UBC (Bachelor of Arts, 1933) and Cambridge. At UBC he was a keen rugby player and a member of the Campus Players Club where he developed his talent for oratory which many felt directed him towards the profession of law.

In 1948, Dr. Malcolm MacIntyre, a Harvard graduate, joined the UBC Faculty of Law. He was well-loved and greatly respected by his students. Dean George Curtis would later describe Dr. MacIntyre as the critical nexus between students and the faculty. 

In 1946, George McAllister joins the UBC Faculty of Law, after having worked at the Institute of Public Administration at Dalhousie. He taught labour law, which was a relatively new subject in Canadian schools at the time. 

George F. Curtis (1906-2005) served as Dean from the founding of the law school at UBC in 1945 until his retirement in 1971. He remained actively involved in the law school, addressing every incoming class and continuing to meet with students, faculty and staff throughout his retirement. He was an unfailingly positive presence at UBC, and shared his joy with faculty, staff, students and alumni to the end.