Asher Robbins

Who was Asher Robbins?

Asher Robbins was a United States Senator from Rhode Island. Born in Wethersfield, Connecticut, he graduated from Yale College in 1782, was a tutor in Rhode Island College from 1782 to 1790, studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1792 and began practice in Providence, Rhode Island. He moved to Newport in 1795, was appointed United States district attorney in 1812, and was a member of the Rhode Island Assembly from 1818 to 1825.

Robbins was elected as Adams to the U.S. Senate in 1825 to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of James De Wolf; he was reelected in 1827 and 1833 and served from October 31, 1825, to March 4, 1839. While in the Senate, he was chairman of the Committee on Engrossed Bills.

After his time in the Senate, Robbins was again a member of the State assembly and was postmaster of Newport from 1841 until his death in that city in 1845; interment was in Burial Ground Common.