Gaston A. Robbins

Gaston Ahi Robbins (erroneously Gaston Alexander Robbins; September 26, 1858 – February 22, 1902) was an American politician and lawyer. A Democrat, he was a member of the United States House of Representatives from Alabama.

Born in Goldsboro, North Carolina, Robbins graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Beginning in 1880, he practiced law. He served in the House from 1893 to 1896, and again from 1899 to 1900, both times being unseated. He died in a hotel fire in New York City.

Early life Robbins was born on September 26, 1858, in Goldsboro, North Carolina, the son of Julius Alexander Robbins and author Mrs. Alford. Thomas William Herringshaw erroneously claims he was born in Alabama.

Robbins was the nephew of William M. Robbins, the third cousin twice removed of Lucius Quintus Cincinnatus Lamar I and Mirabeau B. Lamar, and the fourth cousin once removed of Lucius Quintus Cincinnatus Lamar and Joseph Rucker Lamar.

Personal life and death Around 1901, Robbins moved to New York City to practice law. He married once, to Mrs. Alexander, who died within ten days after their wedding. He was a member of the Freemasons.

Robbins died on February 22, 1902, aged 43, after jumping six stories from a burning hotel on Park Avenue, Manhattan. A newspaper claims that he died while attempting to save some women inside the hotel. Herringshaw erroneously claims he died in Selma.