John Robinson

John Robinson (1682 – 30 April 1762) The organ there, built in 1712, was the first in England to have a swell box, and in February 1712 it was first played in public by Robinson.

On 20 September 1727, after many years as assistant to William Croft, he became organist of Westminster Abbey, remaining in the post until his death. Benjamin Cooke became his assistant in 1746. Robinson was also a teacher of the harpsichord. As a composer, there has survived the double chant in E flat at the end of volume 1 of Boyce's Cathedral Music.

He left a few organ compositions; among them two-part Voluntaries are the most common.

Personal life On 6 September 1716 he married Ann, daughter of the composer William Turner; she had a singing career. They had a daughter who became a singer, and other children who died young. After Ann's death in 1741 he married Mary, and they had a son, John Daniel.