William Robinson

Who was William Robinson?

William Robinson 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.

Robinson is credited as the architect of several notable buildings in Ireland during his tenure. These include: Charles Fort in Kinsale, the Royal Hospital in Kilmainham, St. Michan's Church in Dublin, St. Mary's Church in Dublin, "Marsh's Library", and developmental works at Dublin Castle.

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.

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