John Robinson (Virginia)

John Robinson, Jr. (February 3, 1705 – May 11, 1766) was a politician and landowner in the British colony of Virginia. Robinson served as Speaker of the House of Burgesses from 1738 until his death, the longest tenure in the history of that office.^[1]

Career

While John Robinson was speaker of the House the Virginia Resolves occurred. John Robinson was the person who shouted, "Treason!, Treason!" after Patrick Henry's speech.^[1]

Robinson also served as treasurer of the colony from 1738 until his death.^[2] After his death it was discovered that he had made personal loans exceeding 100,000 pounds from the treasury to his friends.^[3] The resulting scandal was a factor in Virginia politics for years; Robinson's estate was not settled until after the end of the American Revolution.^[1]

Robinson's father was also named John Robinson (died 1759).^[2] Settling in 1670, the Robinson family was one of the first families of Virginia.^[2]

Positions Held in the Virginia Colony

• Delegate, Virginia House of Burgesses, 1736–1738

• Speaker of Virginia House of Burgesses, 1738–1766

• Treasurer, Virginia Colony, 1738–1766

Notes

References

• Kukla, Jon (1981). Speakers and Clerks of the Virginia House of Burgesses, 1643–1776. Richmond, Virginia: Virginia State Library. ISBN 0-88490-075-4. 

External links

• Bio - a little information on John Robinson.