Ezekiel Gilman Robinson (1815-1894), seventh president of Brown University, was born in Attleboro, Massachusetts on March 23, 1815 to Cynthia and Ezekiel Robinson. After studying at multiple high schools in Wrentham, Massachusetts, Pawtucket, Rhode Island, and New Hampton, New Hampshire, Robinson entered Brown University in 1835, as a sophomore. While a student in high school and at Brown, Robinson preached services for the First Baptist Church in Pawtucket, and eventually decided to become a minister. A year after his graduation from Brown, Robinson began attending Newton Theological Seminary in Newton, Massachusetts.
Following his graduation in 1842, Robinson moved around Kentucky, Virginia, and Ohio teaching at seminaries and preaching in various Baptist churches. Robinson moved to Rochester, New York in 1853 as a professor of Christian theology at the Rochester Theological Seminary. He was named president of the Seminary in 1860. In 1867, Brown University invited Robinson to become President, but he refused. When invited again in 1871, he accepted and returned to Providence.
Robinson served as President of Brown University from 1872 to 1889. In that time, Robinson sought to bring Brown up to the standards of other New England institutions by expanding the science and modern languages departments, and reinstituting graduate studies programs. Robinson continued to teach classes in philosophy, morality, theology, and ethics. While President, Robinson also improved the campus of Brown by renovating buildings, updating science labs and improving the landscaping. In 1889, Robinson retired.
Following retirement, Robinson continued to preach, teach, and write. Some of his teaching appointments included the Crozer Theological School, Newton Theological Seminary, Rochester Theological Seminary, the University of Chicago, and Vassar College, where he had been a trustee since its inception. On a visit to Boston in June of 1894, Robinson fell ill and died at a Boston city hospital. He was buried in Rochester, New York. The class of 1884 erected a gate in Robinson’s name in 1924. An editorial in the Brown Alumni Monthly stated, "We may not all have loved him then, but we respected him. He was genuine, all through, except so far as some of his austerity may have been assumed in self-defense against an inconvenient kindliness of heart." (Information from the
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Ezekiel Gilman Robinson papers, MS-1C-7, Brown University Archives.
The Ezekiel Gilman Robinson papers primarily contain the business correspondence of Robinson during his presidency at Brown University between 1872 and 1889. Series 3 contains a translation of "Micah" from Hebrew to English by Ezekiel Gilman Robinson, as well as some business receipts and notes related to Brown Corporation meetings. Also included in this series is a brief biography and notes on a resolution written by the Brown Corporation upon Robinson's death in 1894. Series 4 contains three typewritten drafts of an article entitled, "The Professor of Philosophy," by Alfred Gideon Langley about Robinson. This article was meant to be a supplement to Robinson’s autobiography but it was never published.
The Robinson papers are arranged into the following series:
Series 1. (Letters by Robinson, 1848, 1872-1891) arranged chronologically.
Series 2. (Letters to Robinson, 1873-1889) arranged alphabetically by author.
Series 3. (Miscellaneous) arranged chronologically.
Series 4. (Biography, 1896) includes three manuscript drafts arranged by draft copy.
Acquisition information for this collection is unavailable.
No further materials are anticipated for this collection.
This collection was arranged and described by Amy Greer, student at the Simmons College Graduate School of Library and Information Science, and the Archives staff.
Brown University catalog record for this collection:
Brown University Archives, Biographical Files Collection.
The books and speeches written by Ezekiel Gilman Robinson are cataloged separately and can be found in the Library's catalog under the heading:
Cannot meet for dinner.
Declining invitation because of faculty meeting.
Unacquainted with the graduating class at Rochester.
Acknowledging honorary degree bestowed on him.
Accepts office of President and Professor of Intellectual and Moral Philosophy at Brown University.
Discusses the date of his inauguration.
Accepts dinner invitation.
Letter of recommendation for W. C. Joslin.
Mentions articles criticizing Spencer and Bain.
Letter of recommendation for Thomas S. Cole.
Discusses one difficulty in presenting of degrees.
Recommending James MacLaughlin, a sophomore studying for the ministry, for the patronage of the American College and Education Society.
Invitation to tea during his visit to Providence; thanks him for his volume on Moral Philosophy.
Presents his resignation.
Recommending Cavaliere Guglielmo D'Arcais
Cannot attend dedication of Lyman Gymnasium.
Presenting portrait of James Brown to Brown University.
Report on proper relations of college education at Brown to practical instruction in the department of physics; includes suggestions for a laboratory building.
Letter applying for authority to order apparatus and supplies for the department of physics and mechanics.
Letter requesting authority from the Committee of Physics to purchase apparatus and supplies for the physics laboratory.
Letter reporting gifts of apparatus and books by Mrs. Dr. T. P. Shepard to the Physical Laboratory of Brown University.
Letter reporting gifts of books by Mrs. Dr. T. P. Shepard and gifts of apparatus, tools and books by Prof. John Pierce to the Physical Laboratory of Brown University.
List of apparatus needed by department of physics; requests permission to purchase apparatus on his visit to Europe.
"Expression of Opinion in regard to Coeducation at Brown University, Class 1880." Conveying the opinion of the majority of the class members that do not at present favor coeducation at Brown.
Resigns as member of the Board of Trustees.
Would like to obtain A.M. degree from Brown University.
Requests a leave of absence.
Portrait of James Brown given by Mrs. Bajnotti was made from a miniature.
Suggestion for the awarding of honorary degrees.
Proposes to draw on treasurer of Brown University for money owed him in order to purchase specimens for museum; offers reimbursement for money thus obtained.
Concerning his offer to build and equip astronomical laboratory for Brown University.
Offering a building to Brown University as a memorial to his son, William Clark Sayles.
Approves of hanging portrait in Sayles Hall.
Consents to the placing of portraits in Sayles Hall. A memorandum of the portraits selected by a committee is enclosed.
Portrait of Benjamin Bowen Carter presented to the University by his sister, Elizabeth Ann Danforth.
Business prevents his attendance at Corporation meeting; will resign if that seems best.
Resigns as trustee of Brown University.
Resigning from Board of Trustees.
Copy of letter. Includes his nominations for his scholarships. Special mention of Hermon Carey Bumpue, Edward P. Fuller, and Charles H. Wheeler.
Manuscript and typescript copies. Translated from the Hebrew by Ezekiel Gilman Robinson.
Signed by Ezekiel Gilman Robinson, chairman. Committee to make inquiries in regard to the lands belonging to the University and whether it be advisable to dispose of them.
Notes about Corporate Resolutions, a brief biography of Ezekiel Gilman Robinson, and death of Robinson on September 17, 1894.
Original article: The Professor of Philosophy by Alfred Gideon Langley; contribution to Ezekiel Gilman Robinson: an autobiography. 1896. Typewritten; three copies; Copy 3 incomplete.
Typewritten first copy of the original article.
Typewritten second copy of the original copy, as written by Alfred Gideon Langley.
Typewritten third copy of the original paper by Alfred Gideon Langley - incomplete with some duplicates.