Robinson, Stuart (1814-1881) Papers, 1849-1950

Held by The Filson Historical Society 

Creator:  Robinson, Stuart, 1814-1881 

Title:  Papers, 1849-1950 

Rights: For information regarding literary and copyright interest for these papers, contact the Collections Department. 

Size of Collection:  1 cubic foot 

Location Number:  Mss. A R664 

Scope and Content Note 

Papers include correspondence between Robinson, his wife, daughter, and granddaughter discussing routine matters; sermon notes; speeches; wills; scrapbooks; Robinson’s diary of his trip to Europe; and legal papers regarding accusations that he was involved with Luke Pryor Blackburn in the Yellow Fever Conspiracy.  For an inventory of materials in the collection, please click here to open the PDF document.

Biographical Note 

Robinson was born in Strabane, Ireland in 1814. He grew up in Virginia and received his education at Amherst College in Massachusetts, Union Seminary in Virginia, and Princeton Seminary. Robinson served congregations in Virginia and Maryland before moving to Kentucky. He served at Frankfort Presbyterian (1846-1853) and at Second Presbyterian in Louisville (1858-1881). During the Civil War, Robinson remained in exile in Toronto, Canada, serving a congregation in that city. Returning to Kentucky he led most Kentucky Presbyterians into the Southern Presbyterian Church. In 1841, Robinson married Mary Elizabeth Brigham of Massachusetts. He died in 1881 and was buried in Cave Hill Cemetery. 

Folder List 

Box 1 

1 Scrapbook of Robinson’s sermons, lectures, and reports of various meetings, and newspaper clippings. 

 

Box 2 

2 Scrapbook containing clippings concerning Robinson’s life and genealogy and his church work. Also some correspondence of his descendants. 

 

Box 3 

3 Correspondence, notes, clippings, and copies of Robinson’s will and Mary Robinson’s will, 1849-1909.

4 Biographical data concerning Robinson including newspaper clippings and three pamphlets, 1862-1916.

5 Trip diary, 1873.

6 Newspaper clippings about the Pan-Presbyterian Council, n.d.

7 Newspaper clippings about Central University, 1872-1873.

8 Sunday Closing Law, 1880 and n.d. Speech of Dr. Robinson and newspaper clippings. 

9StuaryRobinson’s libel suit. Plea in Circuit Court of U.S. Northern District of Illinois, and newspaper clippings. 

10 Newspaper clippings about the First Presbyterian Church Controversy, 1874-1875