John Ross Robertson (December 28, 1841 – May 31, 1918) was a Canadian newspaper publisher, politician, and philanthropist in Toronto, Ontario.

Eventually these columns were published in a book called Robertson's Landmarks of Toronto which consists of six volumes.

In his will, Mr. Robertson left to the citizens of Toronto his extensive collection of historical maps and paintings.

[citation needed] In 1881, Robertson’s daughter Helen and niece Gracie died of scarlet fever on the same day.

Because the hospital had little money, the children were sleeping on torn mattresses in rooms so dilapidated they couldn't be scrubbed clean.

[citation needed] In 1883, Robertson, at his own expense, build The Lakeside Home for Little Children, on Toronto Island.

In 1921, John Ross Robertson Public School donated $100 to Lakeside Home to maintain a cot.

It was common practice for schools to donate money to maintain the cots on an annual basis.

Finally, Mr. Robertson saw his ideal - the recently opened hospital for sick children in Glasgow, Scotland.

[citation needed] Robertson raised money for the new hospital through publicity in his newspaper by gaining support of influential citizens in the city and with the aid of a $20,000 grant from Toronto Council.

[citation needed] When Robertson first heard of pasteurized milk in the early 1900s, he sent his sister off to New York City to learn the new process.