Henry Robinson (1837-1915)

Professor Henry Robinson (1837-1915)

1837 March 22nd. Born the son of Vincent Robinson (1792-1851) and his wife Elizabeth Hannah Hetherington (1802-1886)

Educated at King's College, London

c.1858 Worked for Messrs Armstrong at Elswick for 5 years

1863 Established independent practice in Westminster, consultant engineer in energy distribution systems for electricity, compressed air and hydraulic systems, as well as railways, water supply , sewerage, etc

1864 Associate of the Inst C. E.

1868 Member of the Inst C. E.

1869 Married Elizabeth Nicholson

1870 Birth of son Keith Robinson (1870-1821)

1872 Birth of son Leigh Robinson (1872-1944) and daughter Elsie (1872-1913)

1873 Birth of daughter Irma

1875 Birth of daughter Phena (1875-1964)

1875 Dissolution of Shelford and Robinson

1876 Birth of daughter Irene (1876-1974)

1877 Birth of daughter Aldyth (1877-1939)

1879 Birth of daughter Gladwys (1879-1957)

1880 Appointed professor of Civil Engineering at Kings

1881 Living at 50 Springfield Road, Hampstead: Henry Robinson (age 44 born London), Civil Engineer. With his wife Elizabeth Robinson (age 30 born Newcastle) and their children Leigh Robinson (age 9 born London), Elsie Robinson (age 8 born London), Irma Robinson (age 7 born London), Phena Robinson (age 5 born London), Irene Robinson (age 4 born London), Aldyth Robinson (age 3 born London), and Gladys Robinson (age 1 born London). Two servants.

1887 President of the Society of Engineers

1901 Living at 54 Boundary Rd, Hampstead, NW: Henry Robinson (age 64 born Marylebone), Civil Engineer. With his wife Elizabeth Robinson (age 50 born Gateshead-on-Tyne) and their children Leigh Robinson (age 29 born Marylebone), Civil Engineer; Phena Robinson (age 25 born Marylebone); Irene Robinson (age 24 born Marylebone); Aldyth Robinson (age 23 born Marylebone); and Gladwys Robinson (age 21 born Marylebone). Two servants.

1902 retired from chair at Kings; became emeritus professor

1911 Living at 54 Boundary Rd, Hampstead, NW: Henry Robinson (age 74 born Marylebone), Civil Engineer. With his wife (married 42 years with 8 children) Elizabeth Robinson (age 60 born Newcastle) and their daughters Aldyth Robinson (age 32 born Hampstead) and Emma Kemp Welch (age 37 born Hampstead). Also two grandchildren John Kemp Welch (age 4 born Barnes) and Mary Kemp Welch (age 3 born Barnes). One servant.

1915 March 24th. Died. Of 110 Abbey Road and Parliament Mansions, Westminster. Probate to Keith Robinson, Civil Engineer.

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1915 Obituary

Professor HENRY ROBINSON was born in London on 22nd March 1837, and received his training for the engineering profession in the Applied Science Department of King's College, London, of which he became a Scholar and an Associate.

He was afterwards, for a few years, on the staff of Sir William G. (the late Lord) Armstrong at Elswick, and then commenced independent practice as a civil engineer in Westminster, which he followed for upwards of forty years. During this time he carried out many important works, including railways, water supply, sewerage and electric lighting, an example of the latter being the successful installation of St. Pancras.

He took an active part in promoting the distribution of energy in towns by hydraulic power, compressed air, and electricity, and carried out the first public hydraulic scheme in this country at Hull, where an Act was obtained for laying mains in the streets.

Professor Robinson occupied the Chair of Civil Engineering at King's College, London, from 1880 to 1902, when he was elected Emeritus Professor.

He contributed much to engineering literature of the day, being author of important works on "Hydraulic Power and Hydraulic Machinery," "Sewerage," and "Sewage Disposal."

His death took place in London on 24th March 1915, at the age of seventy-eight.

He was elected a Member of this Institution in 1874; he was also a Member of the Institution of Civil Engineers, the Institution of Electrical Engineers, a Fellow of the Surveyors' Institution, the Royal Sanitary Institute, and Past-President of the Society of Engineers.

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1915 Obituary

HENRY ROBINSON died in London on the 24th March, 1915, at the age of 84.

He was a student from 1853 to 1855 in the engineering department of King's College, London, becoming an associate of the College in 1856. In the same year he joined the staff of the late Lord Armstrong at Elswick, serving first as outdoor superintendent, and then as assistant at the works.

In 1863 he started practice on his own account in Westminster as consulting engineer, and carried on this business for about 50 years, designing many important works in connection with electric lighting, and power distribution by water and compressed air. Among other schemes he carried out the electrical installation for the St. Pancras Vestry.

For 23 years he was also Professor of Civil Engineering at King's College, London, and on his retirement in 1902 he was appointed Emeritus Professor.

He was elected a Member of the Institution in 1890.

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1915 Obituary

PROFESSOR HENRY ROBINSON, born in London in 1837, died at his residence, Abbey Road, N.W., on the 24th March, 1915.

Educated at King’s College, he served 5 years on the staff of Messrs. Armstrongs, Elswick, and in 1863 commenced independent practice in Westminster. As a consulting engineer he was engaged upwards of 40 years in the design and construction of works for the distribution of energy by electricity, compressed air and hydraulic power, as well as of railways, water-supply, sewerage, and other works.

From 1880 to 1902 he occupied the Chair of Civil Engineering in King’s College, London, being elected Emeritus Professor on his retirement. He was the author of several works on Hydraulic Power and Machinery, Sewerage, and other subjects, and made numerous contributions to the proceedings of societies of which he was a member.

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