Joseph Robinson (Australian politician)

Joseph Phelps Robinson (c.1815 – 13 August 1848) was a banker and politician in colonial New South Wales, a member of the New South Wales Legislative Council.^[1][2]

Colonial Australia

Robinson was a Quaker and arrived aboard the Cornubia in Sydney in June 1842. Benjamin Boyd was a partner, and together they set up an office at Church Hill. Robinson's banking business brought him to the Port Phillip District in 1843^[2] and in March 1844,^[3] he was elected to the New South Wales Legislative Council for the Town of Melbourne. Robinson held the seat until 20 June 1848.^[1]

Robinson was the seconder of John Dunmore Lang's motion in the New South Wales Legislative Council that the Port Phillip District be separated from New South Wales.^[1][4] Robinson also owned at least one whaling ship in partnership with Boyd.^[5]

Robinson died at his residence, Neutral Bay, North Shore, Sydney, New South Wales, of scarlet fever on 13 August 1848.^[2][6]