William Robinson (architect)

From 1677 he designed and was involved in the construction of Charles Fort in County Cork, and at the end of 1678 he drew up a report on the condition of Irish fortifications.

His patent as surveyor general was renewed on 10 April 1679, with his salary doubled to £300 on the recommendation of James Butler, 1st Duke of Ormond.

[1] In the 1680s, Robinson designed the Royal Hospital Kilmainham under the direction of Ormond, inspired by Les Invalides in Paris.

The Royal Hospital is now regarded as Robinson's finest architectural achievement; for some time its design was erroneously attributed to Sir Christopher Wren.

[1] After Richard Talbot, 1st Earl of Tyrconnell was appointed Lord Lieutenant of Ireland in 1687, Robinson left the country for England.

In August 1692 Robinson, as deputy vice-treasurer of Ireland, travelled to London and secured an emergency loan of £30,000 for the Irish exchequer.

In October 1703 he was accused of fraud in parliament after allegedly misrepresenting the extent of the public debt, causing a major financial scandal.

On 16 October 1703 he narrowly avoided expulsion from parliament; a subsequent resolution stated his unfitness for public employment.