Elmer Robinson
Encyclopedia
Elmer Edwin Robinson was the 33rd mayor of San Francisco, California. A Republican
, he served as San Francisco's mayor from January 1948 until January 1956.
Robinson was born in the Richmond District of San Francisco, but primarily grew up in the northern California town of Fort Bragg
. He moved back to San Francisco to attend night law school, after which he was admitted to the bar in 1915. He served as a deputy district attorney of San Francisco County, 1915 to 1921. He worked for 15 years, as a civil and criminal attorney in private practice.
In 1933, President Franklin D. Roosevelt appointed Robinson to direct adjustment of claims of World War I veterans, at the request of the Disabled American Veterans.
In January 1935, he became a Municipal Court judge, nine months later a Superior Court judge. Elected to two six year terms on the San Francisco County Superior bench, 1936 and 1942.
During World War II, Judge Robinson served as California State Chairman of a national salvage committee.
Elmer Robinson was elected mayor of San Francisco in November 1947, taking office the following January. He was reelected to another four-year term as mayor in 1951.
While Robinson was mayor, he promoted and oversaw numerous development projects, including an expansion of San Francisco International Airport
and the construction of new schools, libraries, police stations, parking garages, and the modernization of the San Francisco Municipal Railway
. San Francisco, although relatively prosperous in the boom years after World War II, experienced some population loss to outlying suburban areas during Robinson's terms in office.
He returned to his law practice and served as president and general manager of Woodlawn Memorial Park.
While a resident of San Francisco, Judge Robinson died in Paradise, Butte County, California, on June 8, 1982 at age 87.
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
, he served as San Francisco's mayor from January 1948 until January 1956.
Robinson was born in the Richmond District of San Francisco, but primarily grew up in the northern California town of Fort Bragg
Fort Bragg, California
Fort Bragg is a city located in coastal Mendocino County, California along State Route 1, the major north-south highway along the Pacific Coast. Fort Bragg is located west of Willits, at an elevation of 85 feet...
. He moved back to San Francisco to attend night law school, after which he was admitted to the bar in 1915. He served as a deputy district attorney of San Francisco County, 1915 to 1921. He worked for 15 years, as a civil and criminal attorney in private practice.
In 1933, President Franklin D. Roosevelt appointed Robinson to direct adjustment of claims of World War I veterans, at the request of the Disabled American Veterans.
In January 1935, he became a Municipal Court judge, nine months later a Superior Court judge. Elected to two six year terms on the San Francisco County Superior bench, 1936 and 1942.
During World War II, Judge Robinson served as California State Chairman of a national salvage committee.
Elmer Robinson was elected mayor of San Francisco in November 1947, taking office the following January. He was reelected to another four-year term as mayor in 1951.
While Robinson was mayor, he promoted and oversaw numerous development projects, including an expansion of San Francisco International Airport
San Francisco International Airport
San Francisco International Airport is a major international airport located south of downtown San Francisco, California, United States, near the cities of Millbrae and San Bruno in unincorporated San Mateo County. It is often referred to as SFO...
and the construction of new schools, libraries, police stations, parking garages, and the modernization of the San Francisco Municipal Railway
San Francisco Municipal Railway
The San Francisco Municipal Railway is the public transit system for the city and county of San Francisco, California. In 2006, it served with an operating budget of about $700 million...
. San Francisco, although relatively prosperous in the boom years after World War II, experienced some population loss to outlying suburban areas during Robinson's terms in office.
He returned to his law practice and served as president and general manager of Woodlawn Memorial Park.
While a resident of San Francisco, Judge Robinson died in Paradise, Butte County, California, on June 8, 1982 at age 87.