William Robinson (architect)

Sir
William Robinson
Portrait of Robinson by Godfrey Kneller (1693)
Portrait of Robinson by Godfrey Kneller (1693)
Surveyor General of Ireland
In office
1670–1700
Serving with Wm Molyneux (1684–1698)
Preceded by John Morton
Succeeded by Thomas de Burgh
Personal details
Born 1645
England
Died 1712
England
Nationality British
Profession Architect

William Robinson (1645–1712) was the Surveyor General of Ireland from 1670/71 until 1700. Born in England, Robinson was appointed to the post of Surveyor General by John Berkeley in his first year of office as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland.[1]

Robinson is credited as the architect of several notable buildings in Ireland during his tenure.[2] These include: Charles Fort in Kinsale (1670s),[3] the Royal Hospital in Kilmainham (1684),[4] St. Michan's Church in Dublin (1686),[5] St. Mary's Church in Dublin (~1700), "Marsh's Library"(1701), and developmental works at Dublin Castle.[1]

From 1684 Robinson shared the post of Surveyor General with William Molyneaux, until his resignation in 1700, when he was replaced by Thomas de Burgh (designer of the Royal Barracks in Dublin - now Collins Barracks).[6]

Robinson was knighted and admitted to the Irish Privy Council,[7] but later implicated in corruption[8] and a financial scandal in the early 18th century.[1] He was imprisoned for a time,[1][7] before leaving Ireland in 1709. He died in England in 1712.

References

Government offices
Preceded by
John Morton
Surveyor General of Ireland
1670–1700
Succeeded by
Thomas de Burgh