Robinson, Elmer E. (Elmer Edwin), 1894-

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Mayor of San Francisco (Calif.).

From the description of Papers of Elmer E. Robinson, 1951. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 79450167

Robinson was San Francisco's 33rd mayor, serving two terms beginning January 1948 and ending January 1956.

From the description of Elmer E. Robinson papers, 1935-1982 (bulk 1947-1956). (San Francisco Public Library). WorldCat record id: 49659137

Biographical/Historical note

Elmer Edwin Robinson was born October 3, 1894 to Ralph and Edith Robinson in the Richmond District of San Francisco. He spent his youth near Fort Bragg where his father operated hauling and ice businesses. Robinson returned to San Francisco, working his way through night law school at the now-defunct Kent College, and was admitted to the bar in 1915. He married Doris Gould in 1917 with whom he had a daughter, Elizabeth Jane. He married twice more, to Rosemarie Kerr and later to Ora Norris.

Robinson worked as a deputy District Attorney for six years before going into private practice as a civil and criminal attorney. In 1935, Governor Frank Merriam appointed Robinson to the Municipal Court bench and promoted him to the Superior Court within nine months. As presiding Superior Court judge, Robinson brought the court calendar up to date for the first time in 57 years.

A member of the Republican Party, Robinson served as secretary of the state Republican Committee. He was twice defeated as the Republican candidate for state Senate in 1922 and 1931. With the support of Republican, Mason and legal circles, Robinson was elected San Francisco's 33rd mayor in 1947 when the city was emerging from World War II. He presided during an era that has been described as "the last of the city’s old-time good times," when vice quietly flourished. Robinson was re-elected in 1951 over George Christopher, a bitter opponent at the time. Term limits prevented a third run.

In his two terms as mayor from 1948 through 1955, Robinson oversaw building programs including the Cherry Valley Dam, the International Airport, schools, branch libraries, playgrounds and recreation centers, police stations, firehouses, parking garages, and the modernization of the Municipal Railway. He established the Parking Authority and the Redevelopment Agency, which planned the city's first major redevelopment project. Robinson also established the children's fishing program at Lake Merced. He lowered the tax rate three times, and left the next mayor-elect with over $100 million of bonds for further improvements. He also built a civil defense program and served as President of the United States Conference of Mayors.

Upon leaving City Hall, Robinson returned to his private law practice. He continued to serve as president of a Colma cemetery. A collector of original American historical documents, he was an acknowledged expert on forms of government in the United States. Robinson lived quietly until his death on June 7, 1982 in Butte County at the age of 87.

From the guide to the Elmer E. Robinson Papers, 1935-1982, 1947-1956, (San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library)

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf Robinson, Elmer E. (Elmer Edwin), b. 1894. Elmer E. Robinson papers, 1935-1982 (bulk 1947-1956). San Francisco Public Library, Main Library
creatorOf Robinson, Elmer E., 1894-1982,. Americana, 1765-1969. Stanford University. Department of Special Collections and University Archives
creatorOf Robinson, Elmer E., 1894-1982. The Elmer E. Robinson manuscript collection of American history and government, 1764-1944. Stanford University. Department of Special Collections and University Archives
creatorOf Elmer E. Robinson Collection, 1764-1973 Stanford University. Department of Special Collections and University Archives
creatorOf Elmer E. Robinson Americana, 1765-1950 Stanford University. Department of Special Collections and University Archives
referencedIn Francis Valentine Keesling Papers, 1906-1957 Stanford University. Department of Special Collections and University Archives
creatorOf Elmer E. Robinson Papers, 1935-1982, 1947-1956 San Francisco History Center
creatorOf Robinson, Elmer E. (Elmer Edwin), b. 1894. Papers of Elmer E. Robinson, 1951. Library of Congress
referencedIn Palace Studio (Boulder, Colo.),. K.E.G. Club. Boulder Public Library
referencedIn Antonio Sotomayor papers Archives of American Art
referencedIn Keesling, Francis Valentine, b. 1877. Francis V. Keesling papers, 1906-1957. Stanford University. Department of Special Collections and University Archives
creatorOf Antonio Sotomayor papers Archives of American Art
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Adams, John, 1735-1826. person
associatedWith Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848. person
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Place Name Admin Code Country
United States
California--San Francisco Bay Area
San Francisco (Calif.)
Massachusetts
New York (State)
San Francisco (Calif.)
California
Vietnam
United States
California--San Francisco
Subject
Bridges
Bridges
City planning
City planning
Concentration camps
Draft
Governor
Housing policy
Housing policy
Mayor
Mayors
Presidents
Urban policy
Urban policy
Urban renewal
Urban renewal
Occupation
Collector
Activity

Person

Birth 1894

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