Robinson was born in the Richmond District of San Francisco, but primarily grew up in the northern California town of Fort Bragg.

He moved back to San Francisco to attend night law school, after which he was admitted to the bar in 1915.

Robinson was elected mayor of San Francisco in November 1947, taking office the following January, and reelected for another four years in 1951.

San Francisco, although relatively prosperous in the boom years after World War II, experienced some population loss to outlying suburban areas during Robinson's terms in office.

[2] Robinson returned to his law practice and served as president and general manager of Woodlawn Memorial Park, living in San Francisco before dying in Paradise, California, on June 8, 1982, aged 87.