It had always seemed that John Robinson was a Black man, but it was quite exciting to find confirmation, since it would make him probably the first professional Black journalist in Jamaica. In April 1891 a group of Americans on their way to Central America stopped off briefly in Kingston. The writer from the Utica Weekly Herald, accompanying the group, was able to make a great deal of the experience of White Americans being confronted by Black officials as they went ashore -
We reached the wharf in a little over an hour. As we warped in 200 negroes lounged about, looking at us as white people look at a steamer coming to a North River pier. The ship finally touched the wharf and out from the crowd stepped, what does the reader suppose? Four negro custom house inspectors. If we wanted to go ashore we had got to stand and show up before the children of Africa. Curious enough (curious to the old fashioned democrat,) not one of the party but seemed to enjoy the gravity and solemn dignity of the colored officials. Nor was that all. Along with the custom officers came half a dozen colored women with oranges, pine apples — what not for sale, and a reporter of the daily Gleaner who was blacker even than the pilot already mentioned. The old fashioned democrat would not have relished an interview with the reporter — the more especially as he was as capable a writer as any one of half the active young men representing the papers of the American metropolis. The reporter's name was John E. Robinson, and the party of correspondents made friends with him promptly. He returned the favor by offering to pilot us everywhere, a service we were glad to accept.
Utica Weekly Herald, April 28, 1891
Sadly, within a month of this report, John Robinson was dead, but leaving behind a story of achievement.
An obituary in the Gleaner the day after his death, set out his achievements, including starting his own newspaper:
JOHN E. ROBINSON.
It is with deep regret we record tie death of Mr. John E. Robinson at his residence in Duke Street. He was at the time of his death engaged on the reporting staff of this paper and possessed the good will and confidence of his employers to the fullest extent.
Mr. Robinson, who was 38 years of age, was a Kingstonian born and bred. He was educated at Wolmer's School, and on leaving, was employed at Messrs. Geo. Henderson's, (now Gardner's) printing establishment, where he learned the trade of compositor. After some years in that service, he resigned and was offered the place of foreman in the office of the "Colonial Standard" where he remained for some years. He left this place and started a paper of his own which he called "The People's Banner." He succeeded fairly well in his new venture and was bought out by Mr. Hannan, with whom he remained for some time as reporter, the title of the paper being changed to the "Evening Express." On being offered a position on the staff of the "Gleaner" he resigned and came to this office where he has now been employed as local and district reporter for over 7 years. During that time he has given proof of the very strictest honour and highest integrity, and no matter how great the emergency, he was equal to it. His last report for these columns was on the night of the murder in Spanish Town Road. John Robinson heard of the occurrence late at night when the compositors had gone home and after obtaining his information he came to the office and "set" the matter himself, the GLEANER being the only paper which had a report of the occurrence. But this is only one example of his indomitable perseverance and love for his work, and cases of this sort were almost of daily occurrence during his professional career.
The deceased leaves a widow—to whom he has been married for 13 years,—and one child. He belonged to the Manchester Unity, Masonic and the Knights of Phythias Lodges and all three will be represented at his funeral which leaves his residence, 17 Duke Street, at 4:30 to-day for the Parish Church where there will be a service previous to interment at May Pen.
JOHN E. ROBINSON.
It is with deep regret we record tie death of Mr. John E. Robinson at his residence in Duke Street. He was at the time of his death engaged on the reporting staff of this paper and possessed the good will and confidence of his employers to the fullest extent.
Mr. Robinson, who was 38 years of age, was a Kingstonian born and bred. He was educated at Wolmer's School, and on leaving, was employed at Messrs. Geo. Henderson's, (now Gardner's) printing establishment, where he learned the trade of compositor. After some years in that service, he resigned and was offered the place of foreman in the office of the "Colonial Standard" where he remained for some years. He left this place and started a paper of his own which he called "The People's Banner." He succeeded fairly well in his new venture and was bought out by Mr. Hannan, with whom he remained for some time as reporter, the title of the paper being changed to the "Evening Express." On being offered a position on the staff of the "Gleaner" he resigned and came to this office where he has now been employed as local and district reporter for over 7 years. During that time he has given proof of the very strictest honour and highest integrity, and no matter how great the emergency, he was equal to it. His last report for these columns was on the night of the murder in Spanish Town Road. John Robinson heard of the occurrence late at night when the compositors had gone home and after obtaining his information he came to the office and "set" the matter himself, the GLEANER being the only paper which had a report of the occurrence. But this is only one example of his indomitable perseverance and love for his work, and cases of this sort were almost of daily occurrence during his professional career.
The deceased leaves a widow—to whom he has been married for 13 years,—and one child. He belonged to the Manchester Unity, Masonic and the Knights of Phythias Lodges and all three will be represented at his funeral which leaves his residence, 17 Duke Street, at 4:30 to-day for the Parish Church where there will be a service previous to interment at May Pen.
In the Jamaica Post, for May 29, 1891, the obituary for John Robinson suggested that he had been apprenticed to Robert Osbourn at the start of his career as a journalist.
‘He was quiet, gentlemanly and unassuming in his demeanour and was well liked by all who knew him.'
‘He was quiet, gentlemanly and unassuming in his demeanour and was well liked by all who knew him.'