John S. Robinson papers, 1878-1996

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Robinson, John S., 1921-2003
Title
John S. Robinson papers
Dates
1878-1996 (inclusive)
Quantity
ca. 65.76 cubic ft
Collection Number
5319
Summary
Diaries, correspondence, reporter's notebooks, legal case files, campaign files, subject series, photos, and other series of Olympia freelance author and attorney
Repository
University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu
Access Restrictions

Consult the restrictions governing access for each of the accessions listed below.

Material stored offsite; advance notice required for use.

Request at UW

Languages
English

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

John S. Robinson (1921-2003) was a freelance author and attorney who spent much of his working and social life in the Seattle area. Robinson grew up in Seattle, graduating from Garfield High School in 1938. He attended Stanford University and completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Washington. During World War II he translated Japanese for the Navy. He graduated from Yale University Law School in 1949.

Although he worked for law firms and for the State Attorney General's office, mainly in Seattle, his prime interest was in writing. He researched and wrote articles for travel and Seattle and regional magazines, including the Argus, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Pacific Search, Northwest Arts, and Seattle Weekly. He traveled extensively in Africa in the early 1960s and was expelled from South Africa. He wrote a long manuscript about it but failed to get it published because of his reluctance to edit it. A lifelong bachelor, Robinson lived in his parents' Olympia home with his mother and then alone after her death. He died in Olympia in March 2003.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

Consult the scope and content information for each of the accessions listed below.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

Consult the restrictions governing reproduction and use for each of the accessions listed below.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

Organized into 2 accessions.

  • Accession No. 5319-001, John S. Robinson papers, 1878-1996
  • Accession No. 5319-002, John S. Robinson papers, 1907-1993

Separated Materials

Material Described Separately:

John S. Robinson Photograph Collection (PH2016-082)

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

 

Accession No. 5319-001: John S. Robinson papers, 1878-1996Return to Top

62.55 cu. ft. (62 boxes)

Scope and Content: Diaries, correspondence, ca1936-ca1990, reporter's notebooks, article drafts, legal case files, campaign files, subject series, photos, and other series of Robinson, his parents, John S. Robinson and Edith Lind Robinson, his brothers Sam and Irving (Rob). Dates of parents' materials is earlier than those of John Jr.; 1878-1996 (bulk ca1930-ca1980).

Restrictions on Access: Closed until processed. Thereafter, open to all users.

Some material stored offsite; advance notice required for use.

Restrictions on Use: Some restrictions exist on copying, quotation or publication. Contact Repository for details.

Acquisition Info: Robinson Estate, 2003-06-06

Description
John S. Robinson papers

Accession No. 5319-002: John S. Robinson papers, 1907-1993Return to Top

.21 cu. ft. (1 box)

Scope and Content: Letters, clippings, writings.

Restrictions on Access: Closed until processed. Thereafter open to all users.

Some material stored offsite; advance notice required for use.

Restrictions on Use: Some restrictions exist on copying, quotation or publication. Contact Repository for details.

Acquisition Info: Kathryn and Linda Robinson, 2003-09-26

Description
John S. Robinson papers

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Personal Names

  • Miller, John, 1938 May 23-
  • Robinson, John S., 1921-2003--Archives
  • Unsoeld, Jolene

Other Creators

  • Personal Names
    • Legg, Herbert Hugh, 1921- (creator)
    • Robinson, Edith Lind (creator)
    • Robinson, John S. (John Sherman), 1880-1952 (creator)

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Personal Papers/Corporate Records (University of Washington)