Background
He was born in England, studied economics and languages at Cambridge University, joined the British American Tobacco Company and was stationed in Singapore.
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Frank Robinson
Edit ProfileCareer
During the Second World War he was interned by Japanese forces in Sumatra. Following the war he was advised, for health reasons, not to live in the tropics, and in 1949 he settled with his family in Australia. From 1951 to 1960 he was technical secretary with the newly formed Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation Wildlife Survey Section.
He set up the Division of Wildlife"s first sound laboratory 1961-1965 and was instrumental in establishing the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation Wildlife Sound Library.
In 1965 he transferred to Western Australia where he retired in 1971. During his career with Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation he was involved in pioneering studies, involving sound recording, of superb lyrebirds and noisy scrub-birds.
He wrote many scientic papers, mainly dealing with bird song and vocal mimicry. Following retirement he continued his interest in sound recording and was generous in passing on his expertise to others
He was described by Ian Rowley as the "father of Australian bird recording".
Achievements
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Given his first opportunity to ride by Edward Trotter, owner of a racing stable in Montreal, Canada, in his apprentice year, Frank Robinson won the first five races at the Dorval Racetrack in Montreal then soon after won four of the six races on an afternoon card at Blue Bonnets Raceway. On April 3, 1917 Robinson won four races on a single card at Bowie Race Track in Bowie, Maryland. For American-born trainer Barry Littlefield and the preeminent owner in Canada, distiller, Joseph E. Seagram, in 1917 Frank Robinson won Canada's most prestigious race, the King's Plate. For owner Andrew Miller he won the 1918 Saratoga Handicap aboard future Hall of Fame inductee, Roamer.
