William Robinson (architect)

William Robinson (1645–1712) was the Surveyor General of Ireland from 1670/71 until 1700. Born in England, Robinson was appointed to the post of Surveyor General by John Berkeley in his first year of office as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland.[1]

Sir William Robinson
Portrait of Robinson by Godfrey Kneller (1693)
Surveyor General of Ireland
In office 1670–1700 Serving with Wm Molyneux (1684–1698)
Preceded by	John Morton
Succeeded by	Thomas de Burgh
Personal details
Born	1645 England
Died	1712 England
Nationality	British
Profession	Architect

Robinson is credited as the architect of several notable buildings in Ireland during his tenure.[2] These include: Charles Fort in Kinsale (1670s),[3] the Royal Hospital in Kilmainham (1684),[4] St. Michan's Church in Dublin (1686),[5] St. Mary's Church in Dublin (~1700), "Marsh's Library"(1701), and developmental works at Dublin Castle.[1]

From 1684 Robinson shared the post of Surveyor General with William Molyneaux, until his resignation in 1700, when he was replaced by Thomas de Burgh (designer of the Royal Barracks in Dublin - now Collins Barracks).[6]

Robinson was knighted and admitted to the Irish Privy Council,[7] but later implicated in corruption[8] and a financial scandal in the early 18th century.[1] He was imprisoned for a time,[1][7] before leaving Ireland in 1709. He died in England in 1712.