Education
Born in the township of Darby, near Unionville Center, Ohio, Robinson attended the common schools and Marysville Academy. He was graduated from Jefferson College, Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, in 1848. He studied law first with Otway Curry, and graduated from Cincinnati Law School in 1851.
Career
He was admitted to the bar in the latter year and commenced practice in London, Ohio, partnering with Curry. He served as prosecuting attorney of Union County for two terms, elected as a Whig. He moved to Marysville, Ohio, in 1855.
Robinson was elected as a Republican to the Forty-third Congress (March 4, 1873-March 3, 1875).
He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1874 to the Forty-fourth Congress. He resumed the practice of his profession.
He died in Marysville, Ohio, June 28, 1898. He was interred in Oakdale Cemetery.
Membership
He served as member of the State house of representatives 1860-1862, and in 1864 was elected to fill an unexpired term. He was a member of the Board of Trustees of the College of Wooster, which conferred a Doctor of Laws on him in 1896.