James J. Robinson papers (Ms.2006.001)

Biographical Note

James J. Robinson, born on July 14, 1893, in Owensville, Indiana, graduated from Indiana University with a bachelor of arts in 1914. While a student at Harvard University Law School, Robinson enlisted in the Boston Naval Yard as a second class seaman in 1918. Robinson received his bachelor of laws (1919) and doctor's degree (1931) from Harvard University Law School.

Robinson practiced law in Princeton, Indiana, until 1924. In addition to his practice, Robinson taught law at Indiana University, Iowa State University, and the Indiana State Police School. Robinson relocated to Washington, DC, in 1941 to work with the United States Supreme Court as a member of the Advisory Committee on Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure.

From 1945 to 1950, Robinson served as director, Navy division, and deputy director of the United States War Crimes Office. As legal counsel in the International Prosecution Section (IPS) of the International Military Tribunal for the Far East (IMTFE), Robinson's component of the prosecution focused chiefly on the treatment of prisoners of war in the Pacific Ocean and Japanese naval preparation and activities.

During his World War II service in the Navy, Robinson was temporarily appointed to the rank of Captain. In 1951, Robinson was appointed Commander in the Line of the Naval Reserve and his rank of Captain was made permanent.

Upon his return to the United States, Robinson was a legislative attorney at the Library of Congress and taught law at The George Washington University. Robinson was actively involved in the United Nations League of Lawyers which sought to promote cooperation among lawyers of the countries represented in the United Nations. Robinson was also a member of the American Bar Association, International Bar Association, and Inter-American Bar Association. Robinson returned to Washington, D.C., in 1969 after having served as a justice of the Supreme Court of Libya for 15 years.

In 1972, Robinson was presented with a distinguished alumni award by Indiana University. The Indiana University School of Law continues to honor Robinson with the Hon. James J. Robinson International Law Fellowship Fund.

At the time of his death on May 22, 1980, Robinson was survived by Florence V. Williams Robinson, his wife of 59 years.

Biographical information about James Robinson was located within his IMTFE records (box 27, folder 1) and in his Military Court of Appeals correspondence (box 43, folder 6). Additional information was obtained in his obituary that appeared in the Washington Post on May 25, 1980.