A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Robinson, Robert Spencer
ROBINSON. (Captain, 1840.)
Robert Spencer Robinson, born 6 Jan. 1809, is sixth and youngest son of the late Sir John Robinson, Bart., of Rokeby Hall, co. Louth, by Mary Anne, second daughter of Jas. Spencer, Esq., of Rathangan, co. Kildare; and brother (with the late Henry Jas. Robinson, Esq., an officer in the Hon.E.I.Co.’s service) of the present Sir Rich. Robinson, Bart., who married a daughter of the second Earl of Mountcashel.
This officer entered the Navy 6 Dec. 1821; served as Midshipman in the boats of the Sybille 48, Capt. Sir Sam. John Brooke Pechell, in an affair with the pirates in the Mediterranean in 1826 : passed his examination in 1828; and obtained his first commission 27 Sept. 1830. His succeeding appointments were – 5 May, 1831, to the Dublin 50, Capt. Lord Jas. Townshend, fitting for South America, whence he returned in 1834 – and 18 March, 1836, and 26 Sept. 1837, to the Asia 84, Capt. Wm. Fisher, and, as Senior Lieutenant, to the Tyne 28, Capt. John Townshend, both in the Mediterranean. He attained the rank of Commander 28 June, 1838; was appointed, 20 July, 1839, and 1 March, 1840, to the Phoenix and Hydra steamers; and, for his services in the latter vessel on the coast of Syria, was advanced to his present rank 5 Nov. 1840. He has since been on half-pay.
Capt. Robinson married, 10 May, 1841, Clementina, daughter of Rear-Admiral Sir John Louis, Bart. Agent – J. Hinxman.