Page:Dictionary of National Biography volume 49.djvu/17

  child, George Frederick Samuel, born on 24 Oct. 1827, succeeded his father as second Earl of Ripon; became third Earl de Grey (cr. 1816) and fourth Baron Grantham on the death of his uncle in November 1859; was created marquis of Ripon on 23 Jan. 1871; and held many high political offices, including the governor-generalship of India.

Ripon was an amiable, upright, irresolute man of respectable abilities and businesslike habits. The sanguine views in which he indulged while chancellor of the exchequer led Cobbett to nickname him ‘Prosperity Robinson,’ while for his want of vigour as secretary for the colonies he received from the same writer the name of ‘Goody Goderich.’ Though a diffuse speaker and shallow reasoner, ‘the art which he certainly possessed of enlivening even dry subjects of finance with classical allusions and pleasant humour made his speeches always acceptable to a large majority of his hearers’ (, Memoir of Lord Althorp, 1876, p. 44). In the House of Commons he attained a certain popularity, but on his accession to the House of Lords his courage and his powers alike deserted him. His want of firmness and decision of character rendered him quite unfit to be the leader of a party in either house. He was probably the weakest prime minister who ever held office in this country, and was the only one who never faced parliament in that capacity.

Ripon is said to have written the greater part of ‘A Sketch of the Campaign in Portugal’ (London, 1810, 8vo). Several of his parliamentary speeches were separately published, as well as an ‘Address’ which he delivered at the anniversary meeting of the Royal Society of Literature on 30 April 1835. His portrait, by Sir Thomas Lawrence, passed to his son, the first marquis. It was engraved by C. Turner in 1824.

[Besides the authorities quoted in the text, the following works, among others, have been consulted: Walpole's Hist. of Engl.; Torrens's Memoirs of Viscount Melbourne, 1878, vol. i.; Memoir of J. C. Herries by E. Herries, 1880; Diary and Corresp. of Lord Colchester, 1861, vols. ii. and iii.; Walpole's Life of Lord John Russell, 1889, i. 134–6, 137, 200, 204; Sir H. L. Bulwer's Life of Lord Palmerston, 1871, i. 193–214; Sir G. C. Lewis's Essays on the Administrations of Great Britain, 1864, pp. 417–75; Earle's English Premiers, 1871, ii. 206–8; S. Buxton's Finance and Politics, 1888, i. 15, 17, 27, 126; Dowell's History of Taxes and Taxation in England, 1884, ii. 260–272, 279–80, 290, 303; Georgian Era, 1832 i. 417–18; Ryall's Portraits of Eminent Conservative Statesmen, 2nd ser.; Jerdan's National Portrait Gallery, vol. ii.; Times, 29 Jan. and 1 Feb. 1859; Standard, 29 Jan. 1859; Allen's Lincolnshire, 1834 ii. 262; Brayley and Britton's Surrey, 1850, iii. 481; G. E. C.'s Complete Peerage, vi. 368–9; Doyle's Official Baronage, 1886, iii. 137–8; Butler's Harrow School Lists, 1849, p. 54; Grad. Cantabr. 1856, p. 235; Foster's Alumni Oxon. 1715–1886, iii. 1212; Lincoln's Inn Registers; Notes and Queries, 8th ser. viii. 187, 294; Official Ret. Memb. Parl. ii. 239, 251, 267, 279, 294, 309; Haydn's Book of Dignities (1890); Brit. Mus. Cat.]  ROBINSON, FREDERICK PHILIPSE (1763–1852), general, fourth son of Colonel Beverley Robinson, by Susannah, daughter of Frederick Philipse of New York, was born near New York in September 1763. His grandfather, John Robinson, nephew of Bishop John Robinson (1650–1723) [q. v.], went to America as secretary to the government of Virginia, and became president of the council in that colony.

When the war of independence broke out, Frederick's father raised the loyal American regiment on behalf of the crown, and Frederick was appointed ensign in it in February 1777. In September 1778 he was transferred to the 17th foot. He commanded a company at the battle of Horseneck in March 1779, took part in the capture of Stony-point in the following June, and, being left in garrison there, was himself wounded and taken prisoner when the Americans recovered it on 15 July. He was promoted lieutenant in the 60th foot on 1 Sept., and transferred to the 38th foot on 4 Nov. 1780. He was released from his imprisonment and joined the latter regiment at Brooklyn at the end of that month, and took part in the capture of New London in September 1781. When the war came to an end the Robinsons were among the loyalists who suffered confiscation, but they received 17,000l. in compensation from the British government. The 38th returned to England in 1784. On 24 Nov. 1793 it embarked for the West Indies, as part of Sir Charles Grey's expedition. Robinson was present at the capture of Martinique, St. Lucia, and Guadeloupe, but was then invalided home. On 3 July 1794 he became captain, and on 1 Sept. he obtained a majority in the 127th foot, a regiment which was reduced not long afterwards. In September 1795 he passed to the 32nd foot. In May 1796 he was sent to Bedford as inspecting field officer for recruiting, and in February 1802 he was transferred to London in the same capacity. The recruiting problem was an urgent and difficult one at that time. Several of his proposals to increase the supply of recruits and to lessen desertion are given in the ‘Royal