Dr. Robin.son was a man of athletic form and imposing figure, though somewhat bent in later years; ofstrotig, sound good sense; reserved and dry, though, when in the society of his learned brethren, often very entertaining and with a strong sense of humor. He was thorough and indefatigable in his investigations, somewhat scep- tical by nature, but bowing in rcvcretice to God's revela- tion; outwardly cold, but warm inwardly; ofgreat kind- ness of heart and tender sympathy ; a jilain, serious, solid, thoroughly honorable character; and a pious, orthodox;
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evangelical Christian. Though a dangerous opponent when attacked, he was a lover of peace, avoided theo- logical controversy, and adliered .strictly to liis task in life, which he accomplished faithfully, lie is the most distinguished Biblical theologian whom America has brought forth, and one of the most distinguished of tlie I'Jtli century. His Ihirmuny of the Gospels, his popular Dictionurt/ of the Bible ([)uhlished by the Amer. Tract Society), his Greek and KiKjlish Lexicon of the New Test., his Hebrew and English Lexicon based on Gesenius, and, above all, his Biblical Besea)T/ies in Palestine, belong to the most useful works of modern Protestant theology, and will long continue to exert their influence, under the blessing of God, particularly in America.
iSources. — Next to the works quoted above in chron- ological order, particular reference is had to two excel- lent addresses by his two colleagues in the Union Theo- logical Seminary — Profs. Henry B. Smith and Koswell D. Hitchcock — which appeared soon after his death un- der the title The Life, Writimjs, and Character of Ed- vard Robinson, D.I>., lA^.D., read before the N. Y. His- torical Society, pnblislted by request of the Society (N. Y. 18G3). Dr. Hitchcock's address gives, at the same time, a tlioroughly trustworthy biograpliical sketch, partly fiiunded on the communications of the family. See also tlie noble tribute which dean Stanley of Westminster paid to Dr. Itobinson in an address before the students of the Union Theological Seminary, New York, Oct. 29, 1878, published in his Addresses and Sermons delivered dur- ing a Visit to the United States and Canada (Lond. and N. Y. 1879, pp. '23-34). He holds him up as the noblest sjiecimen of an American scholar. The original JNIS. of liobinson's Biblical Besearches and a part of his library are in possession of the Union Theological Seminar}' in New York. (P. S.)
Robinson, George C, a INIethodist Episcopal minister, was born at Hart wick, near Cooperstown,N. Y., Aug. 9, 1833, and was educated first at the village acad- emy in Wellsboro, Pa.; next at Lima, N. Y. ; and finally graduated with distinction at Yale College in 1856. He tlien studied at the Union Theological Seminary, New York, till the spring of 1857, when he entered the New York East Conference and took charge of the First Place jNI. E. Church, Brooklyn, N. Y. He was transfer- red in 1859 to the Cincinnati Conference, and served the Union Chapel in Cincinnati; but his declining health induced his generous society to send him to Europe in 1860. In Germany he studied thoroughly the latest results of theological inquiry and became master of the best learning of its evangelical teachers, enjoying the personal friendship and admiration of professors Tho- liiek, Jacobi, etc. He extended his travels through France and Italy, and returned to the United States in June, 186"2, with rich acquisitions of knowledge and im- proved health. But his frail constitution soon yielded again to our precarious climate, and, after a persistent conflict with pulmonary disease, he fell at last, greatly lamented, Sept. 21, 1863. Although so young, he had laid the broadest and deepest foundation for tlie future. To the Latin, Greek, (ierman, French, and Italian lan- guages he had added a knowledge of the Hebrew, Syri- ac, and Chaldee. He was familiar even with much of the literature of these languages — especially of the Ger- man. Several erudite and critical articles on the pres- ent state of opinion and criticism in (iermany respect- ing the Pentateuch were given by him in the periodi- cal journals. To great geniality of disposition he add- ed remarkalile strength of intellect. Originality mark- ed the whole structure of iiis min<l, and it anxiunfed to genius. A brief conversation could not fail to convince the hearer that he was not only capable of original and precious thought on almost any subject suscejitilile of it. but that this power was spontaneous to his affluent mind. His preaching was characterized by it remark- ably; and thus presented a singular fascination, espe- cially to thoughtt^ul hearers. His congregation at Union Chapel in Cincinnati established " The Kobinson Mis-
sion" in his memor}'. See Record of the Yale Class of 1856, ]). 60 sq. ; 'The (N. Y.) Methodist, Oct. 3, 1863,
Robinson, George Marshall, a Baptist minis- ter, was horn in Hucklicld, Mc, .luly 13, lX->\. He was a graduate of Waterville College in the class of 1850. He studied theology at Newton, and was ordained pas- tor of the Church in Sidney, ]Me., in the siaiimer of 1853. On leaving Sidney in 1854, he preached in several churches, chiefly as a temi)orary supply, the state of his health not allowing him to take a regular jiastorate. For several years before iiis death he gave up preach- ing entirely, and was engaged in business. He died at Livennore,":\Ie., April 29, bs73. (J. C. S.)