Ira E. Robinson

Who was Ira E. Robinson?

Ira Ellsworth Robinson was a politician, judge, and the first chairman of the Federal Radio Commission.

Robinson graduated from the Fairmont State Normal School in 1889 and then studied law, being admitted to the bar in 1891. From 1896 to 1900 he was the Taylor County prosecuting attorney. He was a member of the Board of Regents of the State Normal School system from 1901-7. Robinson was elected to the West Virginia Senate for the 1903-4 session, and was then appointed to the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia in 1907, being elected in 1908 to the remainder of the unexpired term.

In 1920 Robinson purchased an 1870 mansion in Barbour County which he renamed Adaland Mansion after his wife; it is now a museum and on the National Register of Historic Places. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1995.

In 1928 Robinson was appointed to the Federal Radio Commission and became its first chairman; he resigned in January 1932.

Robinson was forced to sell Adaland later in life and died in considerable financial difficulties.