Charles L. Robinson

Charles L. Robinson

Charles L. Robinson (July 21, 1818 – August 17, 1894) was an American politician and physician who served as the first Governor of Kansas from 1861 to 1863. He was a prominent figure in the Free-State Movement during the period of Bleeding Kansas and played a significant role in the establishment of Kansas as a free state.

Early Life and Education

Charles Lawrence Robinson was born in Hardwick, Massachusetts, on July 21, 1818. He attended Amherst College and later studied medicine at Berkshire Medical College, where he graduated in 1843. After completing his medical education, Robinson practiced medicine in Belchertown, Massachusetts.

Move to Kansas and Political Career

In 1854, Robinson moved to the Kansas Territory as an agent of the New England Emigrant Aid Company, an organization that promoted the settlement of anti-slavery settlers in Kansas. He quickly became a leader in the Free-State Movement, which opposed the extension of slavery into the Kansas Territory.

Robinson was elected to the territorial legislature and was a delegate to the Topeka Constitutional Convention in 1855. He played a key role in drafting the Topeka Constitution, which sought to establish Kansas as a free state. Despite the opposition from pro-slavery forces, Robinson continued to advocate for Kansas's admission to the Union as a free state.

Governorship

In 1861, following the admission of Kansas to the Union, Robinson was elected as the first Governor of Kansas. His tenure as governor was marked by efforts to stabilize the new state and support the Union during the American Civil War. Robinson's administration focused on organizing the state government, establishing public institutions, and promoting economic development.

Later Life and Legacy

After serving as governor, Robinson remained active in Kansas politics and public life. He served in the Kansas State Senate and was involved in various business ventures, including real estate and banking. Robinson also wrote extensively about his experiences in Kansas and the Free-State Movement.

Charles L. Robinson passed away on August 17, 1894, in Lawrence, Kansas. He is remembered as a key figure in the fight against slavery and the establishment of Kansas as a free state.

See Also

• Bleeding Kansas
• Free-State Movement
• Topeka Constitution
• New England Emigrant Aid Company
• American Civil War
• Kansas State Senate