William Robinson (1858-1931)
Professor William Robinson (1858-1931), professor of engineering at the University College, Nottingham
Educated at Queen's College, Belfast
1875 Entered engineering at Queen's College
1877-9 Studied at Geneva
1881 Graduated with 1st class degree at Queen's
1882 Assistant to Professor John Perry in London
1886 Engaged with Clarke, Forde and Taylor on cable laying work and testing the Gold Coast cable
1890 Appointed Professor of Engineering (Mechanical and Electrical) at University College, Nottingham. Worked on gas and petroleum engines.
1931 Emeritus Professor of Engineering and Technology at University College, Nottingham
1931 Obituary [1]
Professor WILLIAM ROBINSON was for thirty-four years professor of engineering at the University College, Nottingham. He was appointed in 1890, and upon his retirement in 1924 was elected Emeritus Professor in recognition of his services. He was responsible for the arrangement and equipment of apparatus and machinery, and instrumental in bringing about the foundation of a separate department of mining at the University. He contributed several important papers on gas- and oil-engines to scientific societies.
Professor Robinson was born in 1858 at Londonderry, and graduated with honours at Queen's College, Belfast. He spent the following two years at the University of Geneva, and subsequently was appointed assistant to Professor Perry at Finsbury Technical College. At this time he was engaged on the testing of electrical measuring apparatus at the works of Messrs. Ayrton and Perry.
Professor Robinson then went to the Gold Coast on a submarine cable ship, and upon his return to London in 1887 he became chief assistant to Professor Sylvanus Thompson at Finsbury Technical College. He retained this position until his appointment as professor at Nottingham.
During the War he was in close touch with new developments in connexion with aeroplane and tractor-motor construction, and the method of extracting fuel-oil and by-products from coal.
Professor Robinson had been a Member of the Institution since 1895, and he was also a Member of the Institution of Civil Engineers.
His death occurred at his home in Ireland on 11th December 1931.