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William Robinson

1836 – 1912

11th Governor of Hong Kong, born 1836

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About William Robinson

Lived 1836 – 1912 (aged 76). William Robinson was a British politician and civil servant.

Sir William Robinson (; 9 February 1836 – 1 December 1912) was a British colonial governor who was the last Governor of Trinidad and the first Governor of the merged colony of Trinidad and Tobago. He was also the 11th Governor of Hong Kong.

Early life and colonial services Robinson was born in 1836 in Suffolk, England. He was the eldest son of the Rev. Isaac Banks Robinson and Jane Susan (née Syer). He entered the Colonial Office at age 18 as a clerk, and within several years served as private secretary to Herman Merivale, Frederic Rogers and Edward Cardwell. KCMG, 1883 GCMG, 1897

Places named after him Robinson Road, a major thoroughfare in Nassau, Bahamas, is named after Sir William Robinson, during whose term it was laid out. Despite public perceptions to the contrary, there are no places in Hong Kong named after Sir William Robinson. Places in Hong Kong with the name Robinson were actually named for an earlier Governor, Hercules Robinson, later the 1st Baron Rosmead. Robinson, Mark Aitchison Young and Christopher Patten are the only former Governors of Hong Kong who have no places in Hong Kong named in their honour.

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Important facts

Birth century
Positions held
Governor of Hong Kong, Governor of Trinidad and Tobago, Governor of Barbados, Governor of the Bahamas
Awards
Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
Also known as
Sir William Robinson

People in William Robinson's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped William Robinson's

Frequently asked questions

Who was William Robinson?

11th Governor of Hong Kong, born 1836 (1836–1912)

When was William Robinson born?

William Robinson was born on 9 February 1836 in Grand Duchy of Baden.

When did William Robinson die?

William Robinson died on 1 December 1912 in England, London.

What was William Robinson's occupation?

William Robinson was a politician and civil servant.

What nationality was William Robinson?

William Robinson was British.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: William Robinson

· Wikidata: Q839215

· DBpedia: William Robinson (colonial administrator, born 1836)

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). William Robinson. https://biography.guide/william-robinson-politician-1836/

MLA: "William Robinson." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/william-robinson-politician-1836/.

Chicago: "William Robinson." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/william-robinson-politician-1836/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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