On October 31, 1882, James Fisher Robinson, the 22nd governor of Kentucky died. While his death had no historical significance, his life certainly did. He was a member of the Kentucky State Senate and later was Kentucky State Senate President. When Governor Beriah Magoffin resigned from office because of clashes with President Lincoln and a misplaced desire to remain completely neutral during the Civil War, he appointed Robinson as governor. Robinson worked to establish Kentucky as a supporter of the Union. That year, the Battle of Perryville occurred while another Confederate army marched on Frankfort, requiring Robinson to move to Louisville until they left. In response to the Emancipation Proclamation, Robinson defended the rights of Kentucky slave owners, doing exactly what Magoffin had expected when appointing Robinson to office. After his term as governor, Robinson moved back to his hometown of Georgetown and continued to work as a lawyer until his death.
- Karina Henson
Sources:
http://explorekyhistory.ky.gov/items/show/37
http://www.nga.org/cms/home/governors/past-governors-bios/page_kentucky/col2-content/main-content-list/title_robinson_james.default.html
http://civilwargovernors.org/james-fisher-robinson/
- Karina Henson
Sources:
http://explorekyhistory.ky.gov/items/show/37
http://www.nga.org/cms/home/governors/past-governors-bios/page_kentucky/col2-content/main-content-list/title_robinson_james.default.html
http://civilwargovernors.org/james-fisher-robinson/