Charles L. Robinson

Charles Lawrence Robinson (July 21, 1818 – August 17, 1894) was an American politician who served in the California State Assembly from 1851 to 1852, and later as the first governor of Kansas from 1861 until 1863. Throughout his political career, he was a member of the Whig, Republican, and Democratic parties. He was also the first governor of a US state to be impeached by a state legislature, although he was found not guilty during a subsequent State Senate impeachment trial and was not removed from office. After his time as governor he served in the Kansas Senate from 1873 to 1881. He ran again for governor in 1890 but was unsuccessful in his attempt. To date, he is the only governor of Kansas to be impeached.

Early life and education Born in Hardwick, Massachusetts, in 1818, Robinson remained in the state for his early life. Robinson was educated at Hadley and Amherst academies, and at Amherst College. He studied medicine in Woodstock, Vermont, and later in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, where he earned his medical degree at the Berkshire Medical College in 1843. He practiced medicine in Belchertown, Springfield, and Fitchburg, Massachusetts. While in Springfield, he opened a private hospital.

Early career

California After traveling to California in 1849, Robinson remained there for two years. After one specific conflict between the land speculators and squatters, the Mayor of Sacramento died and Robinson was injured. In June of that year, Robinson went to Kansas Territory with Charles Branscomb to find suitable land upon which the Emigrant Aid Society could found a town dedicated to the free state cause. Robinson's efforts eventually led to the founding of Lawrence, Kansas. Later, Robinson married Sara Lawrence on October 3, 1851, daughter of Massachusetts politician Myron Lawrence.

Impeachment In 1861, Robinson took office as governor of the newly admitted State of Kansas and served one term from February 9, 1861, to January 12, 1863. In 1861, the Kansas House of Representatives impeached him along with Secretary of State J. W. Robinson and State Auditor George S. Hillyer for alleged mishandling of bond sale to fund the raising of troops in support of the Union cause. Robinson was found not guilty in his impeachment trial before the State Senate, but it hurt his political career (both J. W. Robinson and Hillyer were found guilty and removed from office).

Robinson's impeachment resulted from a political rivalry with James H. Lane, the first U.S. Senator from Kansas.

Rivalry with James Lane James H. Lane and Charles Robinson were both staunch opponents of slavery when Kansas was becoming a state, and they came to know each other well. While Robinson was the Governor of Kansas, Lane was a U.S. Senator from Kansas. Lane led a Brigade in Missouri against Confederates in the town of Osceola in 1861. Their feud also came about because of Robinson’s view that Lane’s actions in Missouri were going to cause war. However, this time he was running as a Democrat rather than as a Republican. Later, he became a Superintendent of the Haskell Institute and served from 1887 to 1889, and he was regent of the University of Kansas for twelve years, resigning due to health concerns. Robinson is remembered for his efforts in making Kansas a free-state. His name was found inscribed on the Kansas House Chamber, alongside other Kansas abolitionists, after the chamber was restored.