ROBINSON, Sir BRYAN (1808–1887), colonial judge, was born on 14 Jan. 1808 at Dublin, being youngest son of Christopher Robinson, rector of Granard, co. Longford; his mother was Elizabeth, second daughter of Sir Hercules Langrishe [q. v.] Hercules Robinson [q. v.] was an elder brother. From Castlenock school he went in 1824 to Trinity College, Dublin, but before graduating, in 1828, he went out to Newfoundland in the staff of Admiral Cochrane. In 1831 Robinson was called to the bar in Nova Scotia, and began to practise in Newfoundland. His first appearance in a case of more than local importance was before the judicial committee in Keilley v. Carson, which raised the question of the power of a house of assembly to imprison a person of its own motion. Robinson opposed the claim of the Newfoundland house of assembly, and the judgment in his favour finally settled the law on this point.
In 1834 Robinson was made a master of chancery with the obligation of advising the members of the council. In December 1842 he entered the colonial parliament as member for Fortune Bay. In 1843 he became a queen's counsel of the local bar, and later a member of the executive council. In 1858 he was made a puisne judge. He was a warm supporter of every project for the good of the colony, especially interesting himself in the opening up of the interior, direct steam communication with England, and relief works in bad seasons; he was president of the Agricultural Society. He was also an active supporter of the church of England. He was knighted in December 1877 for his distinguished services, and retired from his office in Newfoundland in 1878 owing to failing health. He settled at Ealing, Middlesex, where he died on 6 Dec. 1887.
He married, in 1834, Selina, daughter of Arthur Houldsworth Brooking of Brixham, Devonshire, who died before him, leaving several children.
There is a vignette of Robinson in Prowse's ‘History of Newfoundland.’
[Biograph and Review, January 1892; private information.]
ROBINSON, Sir CHRISTOPHER (1766–1833), admiralty lawyer, born in 1766, was son of Dr. Christopher Robinson, rector of Albury, Oxfordshire, and Wytham, Berkshire, who died at Albury on 24 Jan. 1802. The son matriculated from University College, Oxford, on 16 Dec. 1782, but migrated in 1783 to Magdalen College, where he was a demy from 1783 to 1799. He graduated B.A. 14 June 1786, M.A. 6 May 1789, and D.C.L. 4 July 1796. Intended for the church, Robinson preferred the profession of the law. He was one of nine children, and all that his father could spare for his start in life was 20l. in cash and a good supply of books. Fortunately he obtained a favourable recommendation to Sir William Scott, afterwards Lord Stowell. He determined upon studying maritime law, and was admitted into the college of advocates on 3 Nov. 1796. He gained conspicuous success in this branch of the profession, was knighted on 6 Feb. 1809, and was appointed, on 1 March 1809, to succeed Sir John Nicholl [q. v.] as king's advocate. As the holder of this office and the leading counsel in the admiralty court, Robinson was engaged in nearly all the cases relating to prizes captured on the seas. In 1818 he was returned in the interest of the tory ministry, exerted through the family of Kinsman, for the Cornish borough of Callington, and on the dissolution in 1820 he and his colleague secured at the poll a majority of the votes recorded by the returning officer, but a petition against their return was presented, and ultimately the candidates supported by the family of Baring were declared elected. These proceedings resulted in his being saddled with costs amounting to 5,000l., and though the premier had promised to reimburse him the outlay, the money was not paid. He was no orator, and did not shine in the House of Commons.
In 1821 Robinson followed Lord Stowell in the positions of chancellor of the diocese of London and judge of the consistory court, and on 22 Feb. 1828 he succeeded Lord Stowell as judge of the high court of admiralty, having for several years previously transcribed and read in court the decisions of that judge. He was created a privy councillor on 5 March 1828, and presided in the admiralty court until a few days before his death. He died at Wimpole Street, Cavendish Square, London, on 21 April 1833, and was buried in the churchyard of St. Benet's Doctors' Commons. He married, at Liverpool, on 11 April 1799, Catharine, eldest daughter of the Rev. Ralph Nicholson, a man of considerable property. They had five children—three sons and two daughters. Lady Robinson died at Wimpole street on 27 Aug. 1830, aged 53.
Robinson was the author of:
- ‘Report of the Judgment of the High Court of Admiralty on the Swedish Convoy,’ 1799.
- ‘Translation of Chapters 273 and 287 of the Consolato del Mare, relating to Prize Law’ [anon.], 1800.
- ‘Collectanea Mari-
