Charles Robinson

Charles Robinson

Charles Robinson 1818–94, American politician, first governor of the state of Kansas (1861–63), b. Hardwick, Mass. He studied medicine and in 1849 he joined the gold rush to California, where the next year he was elected to the California legislature; he opposed the establishment of slavery in California. He returned (1851) to Massachusetts, again practiced medicine, and for two years edited the Fitchburg News. In 1854, Robinson went to Kansas as agent of the Emigrant Aid Company , began the settlement of Lawrence, and commanded free-state forces in the Wakarusa War. Under the free-state constitution adopted by the Topeka convention he was elected (Jan., 1856) governor. He attempted to avoid conflict with federal authorities, but he ignored the laws passed by the proslavery territorial legislature of 1855. After taking office he was arrested for treason and usurpation of office by the proslavery party. A federal grand jury acquitted him. Robinson was reelected in 1858 and again in 1859, under the Wyandotte Constitution, but he waited until Kansas was admitted (1861) to the Union before assuming the governorship. He was elected state senator in 1874 and 1876, was a regent of the state university (1864–74, 1893–94), and was superintendent of the Haskell Institute at Lawrence (1887–89). He wrote The Kansas Conflict (1892).

Bibliography: See biography by F. W. Blackmar (1901, repr. 1971).

Show all research tools

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

  • MLA
  • Chicago
  • APA

"Charles Robinson." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"Charles Robinson." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-RbnsnC.html

"Charles Robinson." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-RbnsnC.html

Learn more about citation styles

Robinson, Charles

Robinson, Charles (1818–94), Massachusetts antislavery leader, emigrated to California (1849), where he established a newspaper and became a member of the legislature, opposing California's entrance into the Union as a slave state. He continued his adherence to the Free‐Soil program as a leader of the Emigrant Aid Society in Kansas (1854), where he became territorial governor (1856), as well as first governor of the state (1861) after it was admitted to the Union. His books include Kansas: Its Interior and Exterior Life (1856) and The Kansas Conflict (1892), histories of the struggle for free soil.

Show all research tools

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

  • MLA
  • Chicago
  • APA

James D. Hart and and Phillip W. Leininger. "Robinson, Charles." The Oxford Companion to American Literature. 1995. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

James D. Hart and and Phillip W. Leininger. "Robinson, Charles." The Oxford Companion to American Literature. 1995. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O123-RobinsonCharles.html

James D. Hart and and Phillip W. Leininger. "Robinson, Charles." The Oxford Companion to American Literature. 1995. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O123-RobinsonCharles.html

Learn more about citation styles

Robinson, Charles

Robinson, Charles. See Sailor, Beware!

Show all research tools

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

  • MLA
  • Chicago
  • APA

Gerald Bordman and Thomas S. Hischak. "Robinson, Charles." The Oxford Companion to American Theatre. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

Gerald Bordman and Thomas S. Hischak. "Robinson, Charles." The Oxford Companion to American Theatre. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O149-RobinsonCharles.html

Gerald Bordman and Thomas S. Hischak. "Robinson, Charles." The Oxford Companion to American Theatre. 2004. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O149-RobinsonCharles.html

Learn more about citation styles

Free newspaper and magazine articles

Life Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America.(Life)(appoints Wayne...
Magazine article from: Best's Review; 2/1/2006
Kathleen Ann Robinson of St. Charles.(Obituaries)(Obituary)
Newspaper article from: Daily Herald (Arlington Heights, IL); 12/21/2007
Elinor Jones Robinson of St. Charles.(Obituaries)(Obituary)
Newspaper article from: Daily Herald (Arlington Heights, IL); 4/28/2006

Pictures from Google Image Search

Click to see an enlarged picture
Click to see an enlarged picture
Click to see an enlarged picture

See more pictures of Robinson, Charles