Charles Lawrence Robinson (July 21, 1818 – August 17, 1894) was an American politician who served in the California State Assembly from 1851 to 1852, and later as the first governor of Kansas from 1861 until 1863.

[4][5] After one specific conflict between the land speculators and squatters, the Mayor of Sacramento died and Robinson was injured.

[1] In 1854, Robinson happened to attend a meeting at which Eli Thayer of the New England Emigrant Aid Company spoke about the need to oppose slavery.

[6] In June of that year, Robinson went to Kansas Territory with Charles Branscomb to find suitable land upon which the Emigrant Aid Society could found a town dedicated to the free state cause.

During the tragic Bleeding Kansas period, Robinson angered many with his passionate support for the Free-Staters, who were promoting a fight against pro-slavery advocates.

He was illegally[citation needed] elected Territorial Governor of Kansas under the Topeka Constitution in January 1856.

This United States military camp (named for Delos B. Sackett) was located about 3.5 miles (5.6 km) southwest of Lecompton, Kansas.

In 1861, Robinson took office as governor of the newly admitted State of Kansas and served one term from February 9, 1861, to January 12, 1863.

[9] James H. Lane and Charles Robinson were both staunch opponents of slavery when Kansas was becoming a state, and they came to know each other well.

[15] Later, he became a Superintendent of the Haskell Institute and served from 1887 to 1889, and he was regent of the University of Kansas for twelve years, resigning due to health concerns.

[2][5] Robinson died on August 17, 1894, at his home due to sickness and is buried in Oak Hill Cemetery in Lawrence, Kansas.