Charles M. Robinson (architect)


Charles Morrison Robinson, most commonly known as Charles M. Robinson, was an American architect. He worked in Altoona and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania from 1889 to 1906 and in Richmond, Virginia from 1906 until the time of his death in 1932. He is most remembered as a prolific designer of educational buildings in Virginia, including public schools in Richmond and throughout Virginia, and university buildings for James Madison University, College of William and Mary, Radford University, Virginia State University, and the University of Richmond. He was also the public school architect of the Richmond Public Schools from 1910 to 1929. Many of his works have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Early years

Robinson was born in Hamilton, Virginia in Loudoun County, Virginia, the son of architect James T. Robinson. He apprenticed with D.S. Hopkins, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, and John K. Peebles of Richmond, Virginia. In 1889, Robinson formed the architectural firm of Smith & Robinson with G. T. Smith in Altoona, Pennsylvania. In 1891, Robinson married Altoona native, Annie Custer. They had two children, Charles Custer Robinson and Miriam Robinson. At the time of the 1900 United States Census, Robinson was living at 1910 West Chestnut Avenue in Altoona. He had two live-in servants, Bridget Sheehan and Mattie Jones, at that time. In 1901, Robinson moved his architectural practice from Altoona to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Richmond years

In 1906, Robinson moved his practice and family to Richmond, Virginia. He served as the supervising architect for the Richmond Public Schools from 1910 to 1929. He remained in Richmond for the remainder of his professional career. At the time of the 1910 United States Census, Robinson was living at 828 Park Avenue in Richmond with his wife, Annie C. Robinson, their two children, and his parents. He also had a live-in servant, Etta Scruggs, and a live-in butler, Fred W. Smith.
At the time of the 1920 United States Census, Robinson was living in Richmond with his wife and his mother.
In the early 1930s, Robinson's health began failing. He was hospitalized in Norfolk, Virginia in August 1932 and died there following an operation.

Legacy

A number of his buildings survive and are listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. In 2006, The Virginian-Pilot called him one of "Virginia's most prolific architects." Mimi Sadler, a historic architect in Richmond, noted at the time that Robinson not only "cranked out a lot of school buildings, but they were all high quality and many have become landmarks."

Selected works

Robinson's works include:

College and university buildings