Difference between revisions of "Robert Spencer Robinson"
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==Life & Career== | ==Life & Career== | ||
| − | Robinson entered the [[Royal Navy]] on 6 December, 1821. He was promoted to the rank of {{LieutRN}} on 27 September, 1830, and {{CommRN}} on 28 June, 1838. Robinson was specially promoted to the rank of {{CaptRN}} on 5 November, 1840, for his service in the ''Hydra'' off the coast of Syria.<ref>O'Byrne, | + | Robinson entered the [[Royal Navy]] on 6 December, 1821. He was promoted to the rank of {{LieutRN}} on 27 September, 1830, and {{CommRN}} on 28 June, 1838. Robinson was specially promoted to the rank of {{CaptRN}} on 5 November, 1840, for his service in the ''Hydra'' off the coast of Syria.<ref>O'Byrne, ''A Naval Biographical Dictionary'', 994.</ref> |
Robinson was promoted to the rank of {{RearRN}} on 9 June, 1860. On 6 February, 1861, he was appointed [[Controller of the Navy]]. On 7 February, 1866, he was reappointed for a term of five years. He was promoted to the rank of {{ViceRN}} on 2 April, 1866. | Robinson was promoted to the rank of {{RearRN}} on 9 June, 1860. On 6 February, 1861, he was appointed [[Controller of the Navy]]. On 7 February, 1866, he was reappointed for a term of five years. He was promoted to the rank of {{ViceRN}} on 2 April, 1866. | ||
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He was placed on the Retired List on 2 June, 1870, under the provisions of the [[Order in Council of 22 February, 1870]], ten years having elapsed since his last service. In his service record it is stated "but name to be retained on Active List as supplementary". The ''London Gazette'' confirmed this, stating: "The name of Vice-Admiral Sir Robert Spencer Robinson, K.C.B., F.R.S., will be retained on the Active List of Flag Officers, according to his seniority, but supplementary to the established numbers of the List, under the provisions of the before-mentioned Order in Council."<ref>''The London Gazette'': [https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/23622/page/2879 no. 23622. p. 2879.] 7 December, 1868.</ref> | He was placed on the Retired List on 2 June, 1870, under the provisions of the [[Order in Council of 22 February, 1870]], ten years having elapsed since his last service. In his service record it is stated "but name to be retained on Active List as supplementary". The ''London Gazette'' confirmed this, stating: "The name of Vice-Admiral Sir Robert Spencer Robinson, K.C.B., F.R.S., will be retained on the Active List of Flag Officers, according to his seniority, but supplementary to the established numbers of the List, under the provisions of the before-mentioned Order in Council."<ref>''The London Gazette'': [https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/23622/page/2879 no. 23622. p. 2879.] 7 December, 1868.</ref> | ||
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| + | Robinson raged against his compulsory retirement, writing to the Secretary of the Admiralty, Vernon Lushington: | ||
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| + | <blockquote>In February 1860 the Duke of Somerset, as a proof of the satisfaction he had experienced at the way I had. carried out the duties with which he had entrusted me, re-appointed me to the office of Controller of the Navy for five years.<br>By custom and by precedent this office look nothing away from my position, or the advantages I derived from being a naval officer, and future active commands were among those advantages to which, by, my service at sea, I was entitled.<br>At the time of this appointment being made and accepted, the Duke of Somerset's Government, wishing to effect some reforms, and not choosing to leave this matter dependent on custom or tradition, was actually providing, by an Order in Council, that my services under the Admiralty should be considered as valuable as if I had been in command at sea, and promulgated that Order in the following month, after obtaining a majority in its favour in the House of Commons.<br>I engaged to undertake the laborious task of Controller of the Navy for five years on the distinct understanding, confirmed by these public acts, that I should not be subjected to compulsory retirement for non-service at sea. This immunity | ||
| + | was as much part of the equivalent for the services I was to render as the salary paid to me, or the prospect of civil pension secured to me on retirement from office.<ref>Letter of 6 June, 1870. Quoted in ''Copy "of any Correspondence between Flag Officers and the Admiralty relating to the late Scheme of Retirement"'', 16.</ref></blockquote> | ||
On 14 July 1871 he was advanced to Admiral on the Retired List, with his name retained on the Active List as before.<ref>''The London Gazette'': [https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/23757/page/3262 no. 23757. p. 3262.] 21 July, 1871.</ref> In retirement he became a prolific letter writer to ''The Times''. | On 14 July 1871 he was advanced to Admiral on the Retired List, with his name retained on the Active List as before.<ref>''The London Gazette'': [https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/23757/page/3262 no. 23757. p. 3262.] 21 July, 1871.</ref> In retirement he became a prolific letter writer to ''The Times''. | ||
Revision as of 08:13, 5 December 2018
SIR Robert Spencer Robinson, (6 January, 1809 – 27 July, 1889) was an officer of the Royal Navy who served as Controller from 1861 to 1871.
Life & Career
Robinson entered the Royal Navy on 6 December, 1821. He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 27 September, 1830, and Commander on 28 June, 1838. Robinson was specially promoted to the rank of Captain on 5 November, 1840, for his service in the Hydra off the coast of Syria.[1]
Robinson was promoted to the rank of Rear-Admiral on 9 June, 1860. On 6 February, 1861, he was appointed Controller of the Navy. On 7 February, 1866, he was reappointed for a term of five years. He was promoted to the rank of Vice-Admiral on 2 April, 1866.
On 7 December, 1868, he was appointed an Ordinary Member of the Civil Division of the Second Class, or Knight Commander, in the Most Honourable Order of the Bath (K.C.B).[2] A few days later he was appointed a Lord Commissioner on the Board of Admiralty, becoming Third Lord and Controller.[3]
He was placed on the Retired List on 2 June, 1870, under the provisions of the Order in Council of 22 February, 1870, ten years having elapsed since his last service. In his service record it is stated "but name to be retained on Active List as supplementary". The London Gazette confirmed this, stating: "The name of Vice-Admiral Sir Robert Spencer Robinson, K.C.B., F.R.S., will be retained on the Active List of Flag Officers, according to his seniority, but supplementary to the established numbers of the List, under the provisions of the before-mentioned Order in Council."[4]
Robinson raged against his compulsory retirement, writing to the Secretary of the Admiralty, Vernon Lushington:
In February 1860 the Duke of Somerset, as a proof of the satisfaction he had experienced at the way I had. carried out the duties with which he had entrusted me, re-appointed me to the office of Controller of the Navy for five years.
By custom and by precedent this office look nothing away from my position, or the advantages I derived from being a naval officer, and future active commands were among those advantages to which, by, my service at sea, I was entitled.
At the time of this appointment being made and accepted, the Duke of Somerset's Government, wishing to effect some reforms, and not choosing to leave this matter dependent on custom or tradition, was actually providing, by an Order in Council, that my services under the Admiralty should be considered as valuable as if I had been in command at sea, and promulgated that Order in the following month, after obtaining a majority in its favour in the House of Commons.
I engaged to undertake the laborious task of Controller of the Navy for five years on the distinct understanding, confirmed by these public acts, that I should not be subjected to compulsory retirement for non-service at sea. This immunity was as much part of the equivalent for the services I was to render as the salary paid to me, or the prospect of civil pension secured to me on retirement from office.[5]
On 14 July 1871 he was advanced to Admiral on the Retired List, with his name retained on the Active List as before.[6] In retirement he became a prolific letter writer to The Times.
See Also
Bibliography
| Naval Appointments | ||
| Preceded by George H. Seymour as Third Sea Lord |
Third Lord and Controller 18 Dec, 1868[7] – 14 Feb, 1871[8] |
Succeeded by Robert Hall as Third Lord and Controller of the Navy |
Footnotes
- ↑ O'Byrne, A Naval Biographical Dictionary, 994.
- ↑ The London Gazette: no. 23448. p. 6527. 7 December, 1868.
- ↑ Robinson service record. The National Archives. ADM 196/37/735.
- ↑ The London Gazette: no. 23622. p. 2879. 7 December, 1868.
- ↑ Letter of 6 June, 1870. Quoted in Copy "of any Correspondence between Flag Officers and the Admiralty relating to the late Scheme of Retirement", 16.
- ↑ The London Gazette: no. 23757. p. 3262. 21 July, 1871.
- ↑ A List of Lords Hugh Admiral and Commissioners for executing that Office, which have been from time to time appointed, since the year 1660. p. 37.
- ↑ A List of Lords Hugh Admiral and Commissioners for executing that Office, which have been from time to time appointed, since the year 1660. p. 38.
