Elisha Smith Robinson

Elisha Smith Robinson (1817–1885) was an English businessman and politician.

Early life and business career

Robinson was born in 1817 in

In 1840, his father threatened to replace him within the family business with a Londoner, so he ventured to Bristol with a small loan. He founded his own printing and packaging business, E. S. & A. Robinson, in 1844.^[1] Within 20 years, his firm was the largest buyer of paper in the British Empire.

Family

In 1845 he married Elizabeth Ring, with whom he had eight children; she died in 1871. Soon after he married Louisa Thomas, who died in 1875.^[2]

Political career

Robinson became mayor of

He was also the president of the Anchor Society in Bristol in 1859.

Death and memorials

He died in 1885 at Ivy Towers, Sneyd Park, a house he designed.^[7] A memorial sermon preached by Reverend Richard Glover at Tyndale Baptist Church was published.^[8][9] He was memorialized in several locations. The foundation stone on the front of Chipping Campden Baptist Church reads "This stone was laid by Elisha Smith Robinson Esq - of Bristol on the 19th June 1872"^[10] There is relief at Bristol Beacon, of which he was a founder and benefactor.^[11] There is also a monument at Arnos Vale Cemetery.^[12]

His family and cricket

Robinson's interest in cricket was inspired by two of his brothers:-

• Philip Robinson
  Robinson & Co in Singapore
  and
• John Robinson [14] 1820-1886 founder of John Robinsons of Gloucester.

In 1878 Charles Parnell of West Town Cricket Club near Bristol proposed to Alfred Robinson, John's son, that he assemble a team to play on the August Bank Holiday. Alfred responded with a team made up entirely of Robinsons. From that day until 1964 Robinsons fielded a cricket XI on that bank holiday against various teams including one made up entirely of Graces in 1891.^[15]

Robinson first class cricketers descended from Elisha include:-

• Arthur Robinson,^[16] son of Elisha, 1855-1913 played for Gloucestershire.
• Percy Gotch Robinson, grandson, 1881–1951, played for Gloucestershire.^[17]
• Douglas C Robinson, grandson, 1884–1963, captained Gloucestershire, played for Essex, Marylebone Cricket Club, Gentlemen of England and England in 1924 ^[18]
• Vivian Robinson, grandson, 1897–1979, played for Gloucestershire,[19] High Sheriff of Bristol 1936 ^[20]
• Foster Robinson, Grandson, 1880–1957, played for London County and Gloucestershire,^[21] Chairman of *E. S. & A. Robinson
• Crescens Robinson (1864-1941) an English first class cricketer, great nephew.
• Theodore Robinson (1866-1959) an English first class cricketer, great nephew.

Other notable descendants include:-

Edward Robinson 1853-1935 was the third son of Elisha Smith Robinson;

Arnold Wathen Robinson (1888–1955) an English stained-glass artist, grandson.

Thomas Robinson (1827-1897) an English corn merchant and Liberal politician, cousin.

References