Description

Extended Data

DAAO URL

https://www.daao.org.au/bio/thomas-e-robinson

Birth Place

Huddersfield, Yorkshire, England, UK

Biography

watercolourist, engraver and lithographer, was born in Huddersfield, Yorkshire, and migrated to New South Wales in the Egyptian . On 23 January 1844 he was convicted in the New South Wales Supreme Court of forging a pound note and transported to Norfolk Island. There he drew a watercolour sketch, West View of the Settlement at Norfolk Island Taken from Flagstaff Hill (Mitchell Library). In August 1847 Robinson was transferred to Hobart Town, Van Diemen’s Land, and assigned to the engraver Charles Bruce . In June 1848 he was found guilty of robbing his employer and sent to Long Point, Maria Island. He was at Campbell Town from March to December 1849, then with the engraver William Jones at Launceston until about the end of 1851 when he was back at Hobart Town. He advertised in the Hobart Town Guardian of 13 December as 'Writing and Historical Engraver, Copper-Plate Printer, &c.’ and the following week as 'watchmaker and jeweller’ as well. He obtained a ticket of leave in February 1852 and a conditional pardon in May 1853. In September 1855 he was found guilty of stabbing with intent and was sentenced to eighteen months in prison. Robinson produced illustrated advertisements and billheads for several Tasmanian merchants, in most cases from his own designs. Billheads are extant for John Tozer (1851, copper engraving, National Gallery of Australia) and for the grocer and tobacconist E. Ayton (c.1851, Crowther Library), both Launceston shopkeepers. His woodcut advertisement for Charles Ward’s Albert House appeared in the Hobart Town Advertiser on 5 February 1858. His last known appearance in the local press was his advertisement in the Hobart Town Advertiser of 8 March 1858: 'Banker’s notes, cheques, bill heads, bills of exchange, bills of lading, invoices, ladies’ and gentlemen’s visiting cards, tradesmen’s cards, Government and other desk seals, linen stamps, port and sherry wine stamps, brass door and window plates, &c, &c.; engraved and printed in the superior style of art, Family arms and crests formed and engraved. Copperplate printing executed at London prices’. It is thought that he left the colony soon afterwards. Writers: Staff Writer Date written: 1992 Last updated: 2011

Born

b. c.1817

Summary

Thomas E. Robinson was watercolourist, engraver and lithographer who also produced illustrated advertisements and billheads for several Tasmanian merchants.

Gender

Male

Died

None listed

Age at death

None listed