Robinson, Charles
physician, lawyer, governor, was born July 21, 1818, in Hardwick, Mass. His father was a farmer, a strong abolitionist, and a descendant of the John Robinson of Plymouth colony fame. He received his education at the Hadley and Amherst academies, Amherst college and the medical schools of Pittsfield, Mass., and Woodstock, Vt.
For many years he practiced his profession at Belchertown and Pittsfield, and at Springfield opened a hospital. In 1849 he went to California, suffered shipwreck on his return on the coast of Mexico; and while in California served in the legislature. After his return to Massachusetts he was editor of the Fitchburg News for two years; and in 1854 became identified with the free state movement in Kansas.
Doubtless his influence in laying the foundation of that state was greater than any other single individual. He was elected governor of the territory, and in 1861 was elected governor of the state under the recognized constitution; and he became popularly known as the war governor of Kansas. He was instrumental in the establishment of the first school in Lawrence; was identified with the founding of the state university, of which he was regent for many years, and at his death bequeathed $150,000 to that institution. For forty years he was identified with the best interests of the political and social affairs of the state; and the people of Kansas duly acknowledged his great and lasting service. He was the author of The Kansas Conflict. He died Aug. 17, 1894, at his home, near Lawrence, Kas.
ROBINSON, CHARLES SEYMOUR, clergyman, author, was born March 31, 1829, in Bennington, Vt. He is a presbyterian clergyman of prominence in New York city, well known as an hymnologist.
Besides Laudes Domini, and other hymnals, he has published Church Work, a volume of sermons; Studies on the New Testament; Studies of Neglected Texts; The Pharaohs of the Bondage and the Exodus; Simon Peter, his Life and Work; Studies in Mark's Gospel; Simon Peter's Later Life and Labors; Sermons in Songs; and Sabbath Evening Sermons.