William Cleaver Francis Robinson
Encyclopedia
Sir William Cleaver Francis Robinson GCMG
(born 14 January 1834 – 2 May 1897) was a British
colonial administrator and a musical composer, being the author of several well known songs. He was the fifth son of Admiral Hercules Robinson.
In 1858 he entered the service of the Colonial Office
as private secretary to his elder brother, Hercules Robinson, 1st Baron Rosmead
, who was then Lieutenant Governor
of St. Kitts.
He married in 1862 and in 1866 was appointed Governor of the Falkland Islands
. On 10 June 1873 he was appointed the first Lieutenant Governor of Prince Edward Island
and created a Companion of the Order of St. Michael and St. George (CMG).
After leaving Prince Edward Island he was made Governor
of Western Australia
and served three terms being 1875 to 1877, 1880 to 1883 and 1890 to 1895, which included the transition of the colony to self-governance in 1890. He was made a KCMG
in 1877 and a GCMG
in 1887.
Between the three terms of office in Western Australia, he took the offices of Governor of the Straits Settlements
(1877-1879) and Governor of South Australia (1883-1889).
Robinson retired from active service in 1895 aged 61 and died two years later in South Kensington
, London
.
Order of St Michael and St George
The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is an order of chivalry founded on 28 April 1818 by George, Prince Regent, later George IV of the United Kingdom, while he was acting as Prince Regent for his father, George III....
(born 14 January 1834 – 2 May 1897) was a British
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland was the formal name of the United Kingdom during the period when what is now the Republic of Ireland formed a part of it....
colonial administrator and a musical composer, being the author of several well known songs. He was the fifth son of Admiral Hercules Robinson.
In 1858 he entered the service of the Colonial Office
Colonial Office
Colonial Office is the government agency which serves to oversee and supervise their colony* Colonial Office - The British Government department* Office of Insular Affairs - the American government agency* Reichskolonialamt - the German Colonial Office...
as private secretary to his elder brother, Hercules Robinson, 1st Baron Rosmead
Hercules Robinson, 1st Baron Rosmead
Hercules George Robert Robinson, 1st Baron Rosmead, GCMG, PC was a British colonial administrator who became the 5th Governor of Hong Kong...
, who was then Lieutenant Governor
Lieutenant governor
A lieutenant governor or lieutenant-governor is a high officer of state, whose precise role and rank vary by jurisdiction, but is often the deputy or lieutenant to or ranking under a governor — a "second-in-command"...
of St. Kitts.
He married in 1862 and in 1866 was appointed Governor of the Falkland Islands
Falkland Islands
The Falkland Islands are an archipelago in the South Atlantic Ocean, located about from the coast of mainland South America. The archipelago consists of East Falkland, West Falkland and 776 lesser islands. The capital, Stanley, is on East Falkland...
. On 10 June 1873 he was appointed the first Lieutenant Governor of Prince Edward Island
Lieutenant Governor of Prince Edward Island
The Lieutenant Governor of Prince Edward Island is the viceregal representative in Prince Edward Island of the Canadian monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, who operates distinctly within the province but is also shared equally with the ten other jurisdictions of Canada and resides predominantly in her...
and created a Companion of the Order of St. Michael and St. George (CMG).
After leaving Prince Edward Island he was made Governor
Governor of Western Australia
The Governor of Western Australia is the representative in Western Australia of Australia's Monarch, Queen Elizabeth II. The Governor performs important constitutional, ceremonial and community functions, including:* presiding over the Executive Council;...
of Western Australia
Western Australia
Western Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east...
and served three terms being 1875 to 1877, 1880 to 1883 and 1890 to 1895, which included the transition of the colony to self-governance in 1890. He was made a KCMG
Order of St Michael and St George
The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is an order of chivalry founded on 28 April 1818 by George, Prince Regent, later George IV of the United Kingdom, while he was acting as Prince Regent for his father, George III....
in 1877 and a GCMG
Order of St Michael and St George
The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is an order of chivalry founded on 28 April 1818 by George, Prince Regent, later George IV of the United Kingdom, while he was acting as Prince Regent for his father, George III....
in 1887.
Between the three terms of office in Western Australia, he took the offices of Governor of the Straits Settlements
Straits Settlements
The Straits Settlements were a group of British territories located in Southeast Asia.Originally established in 1826 as part of the territories controlled by the British East India Company, the Straits Settlements came under direct British control as a crown colony on 1 April 1867...
(1877-1879) and Governor of South Australia (1883-1889).
Robinson retired from active service in 1895 aged 61 and died two years later in South Kensington
South Kensington
South Kensington is a district in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea in London. It is a built-up area located 2.4 miles west south-west of Charing Cross....
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
.