|
|
1847-1926
William Henry Robinson was born in 1847 in Cannock at The Hollies, the son of printer and publisher Mr. John Russell Robinson.
His father had, in 1856, established the original Walsall Advertiser, which was to become the Walsall Advertiser and Newspaper. Although the newspaper no longer exists it is preserved on microfilm at the Walsall Local History Centre.
J.R. Robinson, also founded a printing, publishing and stationery store on The Bridge in Walsall, which was the headquarters of the Walsall Steam Printing Works and the Walsall Advertiser and Newspaper for many years. And it was in 1872 that J.R. Robinson published a series of town information guides and directories known as the Walsall Red Books. These books provided a guide to events, local government, institutions and societies and a 'Who's Who'. The series still continued after W. H. Robinson's death, having been sold to T. Kirby & Sons Ltd in 1911, and ended in 1939.
After completing his education at Mr. Jackson's Grammar School in Aldridge, William Henry Robinson entered the family business. And a few years after J. R. Robinson died, William Henry was forced to take over the running of the business and publishing the Walsall Advertiser and Newspaper. Thus began his career as editor, printer and publisher which extended over a thirty year period.
On 7th January 1874, at age 27, Robinson married Lydie Schnabel, aged 21, at St. Matthew's Parish Church of Walsall. She was of German extraction and the daughter of Frederick Schnabel, Professor of Languages.
A major part of the Robinson business involved printing general purpose stationery for home and business (examples appear in the business archives at Walsall Local History Centre). As well as his own works, Robinson's Walsall Steam Printing Works also published many other books and pamphlets that are now of great interest to local historians.
While running the printing and publishing business, Robinson still found time for his passions, science and the arts, and was involved throughout his life in astronomy and literary circles.
As Robinson was a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society, he decided to try his hand at publishing scientific journals, with articles on astronomy being published in newspapers. He also published a paper that he had presented to members of the British Astronomical Association (Midland Branch) Birmingham on 12th December 1901. A copy of this paper, Life in other worldsis held in the Local Studies Library at Walsall Local History Centre.
Robinson wrote historical and astronomical articles for newspapers. His personal copy of Astronomy--a respite for the times is preserved in the Local Studies Library of Walsall Local History Centre.
He extended his literary talents to writing 'scientific romance'; (known today as science fiction) and fantasy. His books Till the sun grows cold (1904) and Kathleen O'Leovan, (1896) both published in London by Simpkin, Marshall, Hamilton, Kent & Co. Limited, were written under the pseudonym of Maurice Grindon. His philosophical bent is shown in his poetry, especially Man immortable.
Robinson became a founder member and Honorary Secretary of the Walsall Literary Institute, which was formed on 25th July, 1884, and was responsible for the day-to-day working of the Institute. He played a major role in the organising of events and the lecture programmes for the institute, which included readings from The story of little Dombey and Bob Sawyer's party by Charles Dickens. Robinson remained Secretary of the Institute until it closed in1911.
Robinson also extended his writing into the historical field, and a number of meticulously written articles appeared in the Walsall Observer. One of his Local History Reminiscences, published in that newspaper, can be found in the Eyland Scrapbook at Walsall Local History Centre, and on the newspaper microfilms.
Robinson's favourite relaxations were walking and tricycling. He and his friend W.H. Duignan spent long periods exploring parts of the United Kingdom and a description of one of their trips can be found in the collection of W.H. Duignan's Travel Diaries, which are also housed at the Walsall Local History Centre.
William Henry Robinson died on Wednesday 17th February 1926, and was survived by three sons, six daughters, and ten grandchildren, his wife having died in 1901. His funeral service took place at St Matthew's Parish Church on Saturday 20th February 1926, followed by cremation at Perry Barr and his ashes are interred at Rushall.
Printed and published by W.H. Robinson:
On Christian communion with the departed, by James A.
Aldis, (1881)
The Walsall album, (1896)
The golden book of Marcus Aurelius by J.F.Crump,
(1907)
The Walsall red book (46 volumes) (1872- 1911)
The ethics of love, author unknown.
The Walsall Local History Centre contains many books and pamphlets printed and published by William Henry Robinson and also works which he wrote himself.
Page created 7 May 2002 and last updated 28
October 2002
For your literary enquiries and comments please see the Who to contact page.
Please read the general terms and conditions and about accessibility on this site, including the use of the UK government accesskeys system. Further details on ICRA labelling, visitor counts and EnrichUK may be obtained by following these external links:-
|
|