William H. Robertson

William Henry Robertson (October 10, 1823 – December 6, 1898), also known as W. H. Robertson, was an American lawyer and politician from New York. He served in the New York State Assembly, the New York State Senate, and the United States House of Representatives, and was later appointed Collector of the Port of New York by President James A. Garfield. His appointment sparked a major feud between the Half-Breed and Stalwart factions of the Republican Party.

Robertson allied with the GOP Half-Breed faction, which supported moderate civil service reform and emphasized protectionist tariffs and industrial growth.

Early life and legal career Robertson was born on October 10, 1823, in Bedford, Westchester County, New York, the son of Henry Robertson (d. 1881). He received an academic education, attended the common schools and Bedford Union Academy, studied law, and began practice in his native town.

Political and judicial career Robertson was a Whig member of the New York State Assembly (Westchester County, 1st District) in 1849 and 1850.

He was a member of the New York State Senate (7th District) in 1854 and 1855.

Collector of the Port of New York and the Stalwart–Half-Breed feud In 1881, Robertson was appointed Collector of the Port of New York by President James A. Garfield, whose nomination he had helped to secure by leading a part of the New York delegation at the 1880 Republican National Convention to shift their support from Grant. In the bitter struggle between the Stalwart and the Half-Breed factions which followed, Robertson was active in the campaign that resulted in the election of new senators in the place of Conkling and Platt.

Robertson was a delegate to the 1884 Republican National Convention and held the collectorship until 1885.

Later career After leaving the collectorship, Robertson resumed his law practice.

He was again a member of the State Senate (12th District) from 1888 to 1891, sitting in the 111th, 112th, 113th, and 114th legislatures.

Death Robertson died on December 6, 1898, in Katonah, New York, at the age of 75.