Robert Trimble

Colonel Robert Trimble (1824 – 5 September 1899) was an Irish-born New Zealand politician and judge who served as a Member of Parliament.

Early life Trimble was born near Belfast, in 1824. He did his apprenticeship as a spinner at Sion Mills. He emigrated to the United States at age 21, where he remained for two or three years. While there, he was exposed to William Henry Channing's unitarianism, which he adopted instead of his presbyterian upbringing. He then moved to Manchester and then to Liverpool, where he worked for the American linen commission merchants Watson and Co.

While in Manchester, Robert became interested in the volunteer movement which caused him to join the Liverpool Irish. He then joined the 15th Lancashire Artillery Volunteers, where he financed an additional battery. He was appointed lieutenant-colonel and upon leaving Manchester, was promoted to honorary colonel. The leading personalities of Manchester attended his leaving dinner in 1875. He contested the electorate in the and was beaten by the incumbent, Edward Smith.

Later, he was a judge at the Native Land Court. at New Plymouth, after having been unwell for a long time.