Sir William Cleaver Francis Robinson GCMG FRGS (14 January 1834 – 2 May 1897) was an Irish colonial administrator and musical composer, who wrote several well-known songs.

"[1] In 1858, when he was 21 years old, Robinson entered the service of the Colonial Office as a private secretary to Hercules, who was Lieutenant Governor of St. Kitts at the time.

On 7 April 1862, Robinson married Olivia Edith Deane, the daughter of bishop Thomas Townsend.

Robert Poore Haythorne, the premier of the island, was finally compelled to consult the Canadians regarding the union in February 1873.

Afterwards, Robinson was made governor of the Straits Settlements, a group of British territories in Southeast Asia whose headquarters were in Singapore, in 1877.

[2] Shortly after returning, Robinson was made governor of Natal; however, he was replaced by the British Government before he was able to serve.

"Let no man take charge of such a form of government who is not as patient as Job, as industrious as a Chinaman, and as ubiquitous as a provincial mayor in France," he said to his colleagues.

However, he developed a reputation of good administration and cooperation with leaders in London who were higher ranked than himself, which helped him with his future appointment as South Australia governor when this term ended.

[2] Robinson served as the governor of South Australia, beginning in February 1883; the song "Unfurl the Flag", which he had composed, was played during his inauguration in Adelaide.

[4] He had composed multiple songs previously in his life, including "Imperfectus", "I love thee so", "Remember me no more", "Severed", and "Thou art my Soul",[2][3] which by this point had become well known in Australia.

During 1889, from 9 March to November, while Henry Brougham Loch was away,[3] he acted as governor of Victoria, Australia, but was never officially appointed to the position permanently.

There he assisted the delegation of Western Australia and the Colonial Office by helping pass the constitution bill through parliament.

[3] Robinson became the governor of Western Australia for a third time in October 1890; his return was praised enthusiastically by the citizens.

According to the Australian Dictionary of National Biography, "he knew and understood more about Western Australia than any other imperial officer.

Robinson had little to do involving politics as governor, due to the fact that Forrest was dominant over the cabinet and parliament, as well as because of constitutional conventions.

Robinson died on 2 May 1897, two years after his retirement, in South Kensington, London, within the 5 Cromwell Houses, which he resided in.

[1] The Times wrote the following in his obituary: A great deal has been said and can be said in favour of the new type of colonial governor, the peer of high position or political eminence.