John M. Robinson (Illinois politician)

John McCracken Robinson (April 10, 1794 – April 25, 1843) was a United States senator from Illinois.

John M. Robinson
Robinson's portrait at the Illinois Supreme Court.
United States Senator
from Illinois
In office
December 11, 1830 – March 3, 1841
Preceded byDavid J. Baker
Succeeded bySamuel McRoberts
Personal details
Born(1794-04-10)April 10, 1794
Georgetown, Kentucky
DiedApril 25, 1843(1843-04-25) (aged 49)
Ottawa, Illinois
Political partyDemocratic

Born near Georgetown, Kentucky, he attended the common schools and graduated from Transylvania University at Lexington. He studied law, and was admitted to the bar and began practice in Carmi, Illinois in 1818. He was a judge of the Illinois Supreme Court, and served as a general in the State militia. He was elected in 1830 as a Jacksonian (later a Democrat) to the U.S. Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the death of John McLean. He was reelected in 1835 and served from December 11, 1830, until his retirement on March 3, 1841, and was not a candidate for reelection. While in the Senate, he was chairman of the Committee on Engrossed Bills (Twenty-second Congress) and a member of the Committees on Militia (Twenty-second through Twenty-fourth Congresses) and Post Office and Post Roads (Twenty-fourth through Twenty-sixth Congresses).

Robinson's house in Carmi

Robinson was elected an associate justice of the Illinois Supreme Court in 1843 and served until his death two months later in Ottawa, Illinois. His interment was in the Old Graveyard, Carmi, Illinois.

References

edit
  • United States Congress. "John M. Robinson (id: R000344)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
  • "John M. Robinson" (PDF). Illinois Supreme Court Historic Preservation Commission.
U.S. Senate
Preceded by U.S. senator (Class 2) from Illinois
1830–1841
Served alongside: Elias Kane, William L.D. Ewing, Richard M. Young
Succeeded by