Robinson, W. D., 1865-1945.

W.D. Robinson was a legislative correspondent and roving reporter in Louisiana and Mississippi for New Orleans newspapers.

From the description of W.D. Robinson papers, 1920-1943. WorldCat record id: 24561265

W. D. Robinson (1865-1945) was a native of Mississippi and a veteran newspaperman. After operating a paper of his own in Mississippi and serving as telegraph editor of the New Orleans Picayune, he was for a long time legislative correspondent and roving reporter covering major events in Mississippi and Louisiana for the New Orleans Times-Picayune and the New Orleans Daily States. In the latter capacity Robinson had a wide acquaintance with prominent men and events in both states.

After serving for a time as publicity director for Huey P. Long's campaign for Governor of Louisiana in 1928, Robinson turned against Long and began collecting information about the activities of Long and his associates. The information involved graft and corruption in office, coercion of opponents, use of influence, unconstitutional actions, and corruption in private life. Much of the information from his files Robinson transmitted to Federal Internal Revenue agents between 1931 and 1934. He also transmitted copies of the confidential reports to Louis M. Howe or Stephen Early, assistants to President F. D. Roosevelt. Much of the information collection by Robinson was submitted to the United States Senate in 1933 when ex-governor John M. Parker and other prominent Louisianans petitioned for the investigation and impeachment of Long, then Senator. Notheing had come of either of these investigations at the time Long was assassinated in 1935. Robinson continued to collect information, on a lesser scale, about the successors to Long's organization until about 1939.

From the guide to the W. D. Robinson Papers, 1920-1943, (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. Southern Historical Collection.)