Ira E. Robinson
Encyclopedia
Ira Ellsworth Robinson was a politician, judge, and the first chairman of the Federal Radio Commission
.
Robinson graduated from the Fairmont State Normal School
in 1889 and then studied law, being admitted to the bar in 1891. From 1896 to 1900 he was the Taylor County prosecuting attorney. He was a member of the Board of Regents of the State Normal School system from 1901-7. Robinson was elected to the West Virginia Senate
for the 1903-4 session, and was then appointed to the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia
in 1907, being elected in 1908 to the remainder of the unexpired term (through 1915).
In 1920 Robinson purchased an 1870 mansion in Barbour County
which he renamed Adaland Mansion
after his wife; it is now a museum and on the National Register of Historic Places. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
in 1995.
In 1928 Robinson was appointed to the Federal Radio Commission and became its first chairman; he resigned in January 1932.
Robinson was forced to sell Adaland later in life and died in considerable financial difficulties.
Federal Radio Commission
The Federal Radio Commission was a government body that regulated radio use in the United States from its creation in 1926 until its replacement by the Federal Communications Commission in 1934...
.
Robinson graduated from the Fairmont State Normal School
Fairmont State University
Fairmont State University is a public university located in Fairmont, West Virginia, USA. Enrollment of the university is about 7,700 and offers masters degrees in business, education, teaching, criminal justice and nursing in addition to 90 baccalaureate and 50 associate degrees...
in 1889 and then studied law, being admitted to the bar in 1891. From 1896 to 1900 he was the Taylor County prosecuting attorney. He was a member of the Board of Regents of the State Normal School system from 1901-7. Robinson was elected to the West Virginia Senate
West Virginia Senate
The West Virginia Senate is the upper house of the West Virginia Legislature.There are 17 senatorial districts. Each district has two senators who serve staggered four-year terms....
for the 1903-4 session, and was then appointed to the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia
Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia
The Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia is the state supreme court of West Virginia, the highest of West Virginia's state courts. It is located in the state capital, Charleston....
in 1907, being elected in 1908 to the remainder of the unexpired term (through 1915).
In 1920 Robinson purchased an 1870 mansion in Barbour County
Barbour County, West Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there are 15,557 people, 6,123 households, and 4,365 families residing in the county. The population density is 46 people per square mile . There are 7,348 housing units at an average density of 22 per square mile...
which he renamed Adaland Mansion
Adaland
Adaland, also known as Modisett Mansion, is a historic home located at Berryburg, Barbour County, West Virginia. It was built in 1868 and is a two story, "L"-shaped, Greek Revival style brick house. It sits on a cut fieldstone foundation. Also on the property are a contributing carriage house ...
after his wife; it is now a museum and on the National Register of Historic Places. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 1995.
In 1928 Robinson was appointed to the Federal Radio Commission and became its first chairman; he resigned in January 1932.
Robinson was forced to sell Adaland later in life and died in considerable financial difficulties.