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Charles Robinson

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For the James Bond character see Charles Robinson (James Bond). For the referee, see Charles Robinson (referee).

Charles Lawrence Robinson (July 21, 1818 – August 17, 1894) was Kansas's first state governor, serving from 1861 to 1863 during the first half of the American Civil War, and "an active and decisive participant" in the turbulent territorial history preceding statehood.

Born in Hardwick, Massachusetts, Robinson taught school and practiced medicine there before striking out for the California gold fields in 1849. He served in the California House of Representatives but returned to Massachusetts in 1851.

In 1854 he headed the New England Emigrant Aid Company's first colony to Kansas Territory. This group of emigrants, and many others who followed, were interested in financial opportunities, but they also sought to make Kansas a free state. Robinson established the company's headquarters in Lawrence, which became the focal point of free-state activity. Robinson's cool, detached leadership provided a stabilizing influence on the Free-State party. He was elected governor of Kansas Territory under the "illegal" Topeka Constitution in 1856, and then the state's first governor under the Wyandotte Constitution in 1859.

Robinson took office just two months before the outbreak of the Civil War. He was preoccupied with wartime concerns, as well as the machinations of his chief rival, the volatile and flamboyant James H. Lane, during his single term of office. This bitter rivalry culminated in impeachment proceedings against the governor, Secretary of State J. W. Robinson, and State Auditor George S. Hillyer. Robinson ultimately was acquitted of all charges, but the other two executive officers were convicted and removed from office.

Robinson and his wife, Sara, donated 40 acres (162,000 m²) on the top of Mount Oread in Lawrence, Kansas, to the citizens of the city of Lawrence to help found the University of Kansas.

Despite these political difficulties, one early biographer heralded Robinson "as the strongest character in the history of the State. . . . Under his leadership the battle was won for the North, Kansas entered the Union a Free State, and the prestige of the South was crushed and broken forever." Robinson's remained active in Kansas affairs until his death at age 76 in Lawrence, Kansas.