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- This page is about Sir William Robinson, who became the 11th Governor of Hong Kong. For the 5th Governor of Hong Kong, see Hercules George Robert Robinson.
- For another 19th century colonial administrator called William Robinson, see William Cleaver Francis Robinson.
Sir William Robinson (Chinese Translated Name 威廉·羅便臣) (1836 - 1912) was a British colonial governor who was the last Governor of Trinidad and the first Governor of the merged colony of Trinidad and Tobago. He was also the 11th Governor of Hong Kong.
Early Life and Colonial Services Career
Robinson was born in 1836. He was the eldest son of Rev. J. Banks Robinson. He became a Member of Slave Trade Commission in 1869 and was appointed Governor of Bahama Isles from 1874 to 1880. A year later, Robinson was appointed governor of the Windward Islands, a position he held until 1884. Afterwards, he became Governor of Barbados, and was transferred to become the Governor of Trinidad a year later. In 1889 the colony of Tobago was merged with Trinidad into the united colony of Trinidad and Tobago, with Robinson as its first governor, a position he held until 1891.
Governor of Hong Kong
In 1891, Robinson was appointed Governor of Hong Kong, a position he served until 1898. This was Robinson's last post in the Colonial Services. He was the governor of Hong Kong who served the longest term. During his tenure, Sun Yet-Sen graduated from the territory's Medical School. Also, Robinson received the thanks of the Hong Kong government for the settlement of the Fanny Josephine affair (Venezuela).
Personal life
Robinson married twice. His married his first wife, Julia Sophia, in 1862. She died in 1881 and Robinson married FeliciaIda Helen 3 years later, in 1884. Helen ten years later. The couple had three sons and three daughters. Robinson himself died on 1 December, 1912.
Honours
Places Named After Him
Despite public perceptions to the contrary, there are no places in Hong Kong that was named after Sir William Robinson. Places in Hong Kong with the name "Robinson" was actually named for an earlier Governor Robinson, who became the 1st Baron of Rosmead.
See also
1836 births | 1912 deaths | Governors of Hong Kong | Governors of Trinidad and Tobago | Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
"William Robinson (Governor of Hong Kong)"