J. Hampden Robb

J. Hampden Robb

The Robb House, designed by Stanford White

James Hampden Robb (October 27, 1846 – January 1911) was an American politician from New York.

Life

Robb was born on October 27, 1846 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He attended L'Institut Sillig in Vevey, Churchill's Military School in Ossining, and Harvard College. He then became a banker and cotton broker. He married Cornelia Van Rensselaer Thayer, a granddaughter of Lt. Gov. Stephen Van Rensselaer, and they had four children.

Robb was a member of the New York State Assembly (New York County, 11th D.) in 1882, and a member of the New York State Senate (10th D.) in 1884 and 1885. He was a New York City Park Commissioner from May 1888 to December 1890; and was President of the Board of Park Commissioners from May 1888 to May 1889.

In 1892, he moved into a house built for him by Stanford White, at 23 Park Avenue. Afterwards, from 1924 to 1977, the house was the location of the Advertising Club.

References

• The New York Red Book compiled by Edgar L. Murlin (published by James B. Lyon, Albany NY, 1897; pg. 403 and 501)
• Biographical sketches of the Members of the Legislature in The Evening Journal Almanac (1885)
• J. HAMPDEN ROBB, EX-SENATOR, DEAD in NYT on January 22, 1911
• New York City Park Commissioners