James L. Robinson

Who was James L. Robinson?

James Lowry Robinson was a Democratic politician from the U.S. state of North Carolina; he served as the fourth lieutenant governor of the state for four years and as acting Governor of North Carolina for one month in 1883.

Robinson was born and raised in Franklin, North Carolina; he served in the North Carolina militia during the American Civil War and was wounded at the Battle of Seven Pines. Robinson left the military in 1863 and opened a general store in Macon County.

Robinson was first elected to public office in 1868, when he was chosen to represent macon County in the North Carolina House of Representatives. He served there until 1875, the last three years as House Speaker. Robinson then moved up to the state senate, where he served three terms between 1876 and 1880, including one as Senate President Pro Tempore.

Robinson became lieutenant governor in 1881, on the Democratic ticket with Thomas Jordan Jarvis. Robinson served as acting Governor of North Carolina for four weeks in September 1883 when Governor Jarvis left the state for an extended period to attend an exhibition.