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John Robinson, Jr. (1705-1766)
was the most skillful and powerful Virginia-born political
leader of the colonial period. He served as Speaker of the House
of Burgesses and treasurer of the colony from 1738 to 1766. A
master of parliamentary procedure and a dominating personality,
he presided over the House of Burgesses during the period it
attained its greatest influence. It was said that not even the
House of Commons in London exceeded the decorum of the burgesses
when Robinson presided. Making maximum use of the authority of
the presiding officer and as the most brilliant member of the
assembly, he nearly always prevailed when controversial measures
were being debated in the House. Robinson augmented his
political power by illegally lending public money to many of
Virginia's leading politicians, placing them under his
influence and creating the largest public scandal in colonial
Virginia. |
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Library of Virginia.
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