Asher Robbins

Asher Robbins (also known as Ashur Robbins; October 26, 1761 – February 25, 1845) was a United States senator from Rhode Island.

Early life Born in Wethersfield, Connecticut on October 26, 1761, he graduated from Yale College in 1782, was a tutor at Rhode Island College (now Brown University) from 1782 to 1790, studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1792 and began practice in Providence, Rhode Island.

Politics He moved to Newport in 1795, was a Federalist candidate for Rhode Island's at-large congressional district in 1800, was appointed United States district attorney in 1812, and was a member of the Rhode Island Assembly from 1818 to 1825.

Robbins was elected as Adams (later Anti-Jacksonian and then Whig) to the U.S. Senate in 1825 to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of James De Wolf; he was reelected in 1827 and 1833 and served from October 31, 1825, to March 3, 1839. While in the Senate, he was chairman of the Committee on Engrossed Bills (Twenty-second Congress).

Later life After his time in the Senate, Robbins was again a member of the State assembly (1840–1841) and was postmaster of Newport from 1841 until his death in that city in 1845; interment was in the Common Burial Ground. His daughter was the poet Sophia Louise Little.