Robinson, Alderman George Henry

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Watercolour portrait of Alderman George Henry Robinson, Mayor of Bradford 1914-15, by John Sowden 1914.

from John Sowden's notebooks

"The only son of Adam Robinson, was born in 1855 in Bradford. He attended Lidget Green where Mr Thomas Potter exercised an effective if stern educative influence. At eight years of age Mr Robinson was a halftime worker at the mill and 13 years of age was fully employed adding to his duties daily attendances at the Mechanics Institute's evening classes under the same master for some years.

As a youth he was in the employ of Mesrs J & C Bowker. Then his father started business in partnership with Mr Henry North as cotton warp dyers in Ingleby Road and the young man took part in the work of the concern. Upon the dissolution of the partnership with Mr Henry North he joined with his father in a similar business at Dudley Hill under the style of Adam Robinson & Son. That enterprise founded 35 years ago was taken over by the British cotton and wall Diers Association.

In 1887 Alderman Robinson and Alderman Peel became partners in the firm of Commission(?) Woolcombers which continues as that of Robinson and Peel.

Previous to that association it may be remarked Alderman Robinson had been of service to Alderman Peel in connection with the building of premises for the latter, who had commenced slubbing dyeing. Since 1895 Alderman Robinson has been a partner in the firm of Messrs Rhodes Brothers & Hardaker, cotton and worsted warp manufacturers of Bradford. He also holds the position of Chairman of the directorate of the London Fireproof Wallplate Co Ltd.

He served for several years on the Tong School Board. In 1896 he was returned to the City Council at the head of the poll for the East Bierley Ward. In 1899 he was outvoted by Mr W Lund. From 1903 he sat on the City Council as a representative of the West Bowling Ward. He was defeated in 1900 by Mr Charles Brigg (C) but in 1903 he more than reversed that verdict by a larger majority. He was elected to the Aldermanic Bench in 1904. He has served citizens well on committees and has been Chairman of the Electricity Committee for several years.

It was in tribute of his valuable services in that capacity that in 1907, although he had not been successful in his candidature for the Tong Ward, he was re-elected by the council to his rank as Alderman for a further term of six years. He has served on the Health Committee, Watch, Gas and Street and Drainage Committees and he has always stood for popular control. He was appointed Justice of the Peace for Bradford in 1906.

In 1914 he was Lord Mayor of the city. In religion he is a Baptist and has rendered great service in connection in the Caledonia Street and Tetley Street chapels for more than 40 years. Of the Liberal Party in Bradford he is a staunch supporter and has held the office of Hon Treasurer for many years. He married in 1876 Miss Sarah Jane Wilkinson of Manningham and has only one child, a daughter and who is the wife of Mr WJ Dracup. His hobby is golf."

Year

1914

Creator

John Sowden

Image filename

sowden-335

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