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{{short description|President of Trinidad and Tobago from 1997 to 2003}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}
{{Infobox President
{{Infobox officeholder
|honorific-prefix = [[Excellency|His Excellency]] <br/> [[The Honourable]]
| honorific-prefix = [[Excellency|His Excellency]]<br>[[The Honourable]]<br>[[Nigerian Chieftaincy|Chief]]
|name = Arthur Napoleon Raymond Robinson
| name = A. N. R. Robinson
|honorific-suffix = [[Senior Counsel|SC]] [[Order of the Caribbean Community|OCC]] [[Trinity Cross|TC]]
| honorific-suffix = [[Senior Counsel|SC]] [[Order of the Caribbean Community|OCC]] [[Trinity Cross|TC]]
|image = A. N. R. Robinson (cropped).jpg
| image = A. N. R. Robinson (cropped).jpg
|caption=
| caption =
| order = 3rd
|nationality=[[Trinidadians and Tobagonians|Trinidadian and Tobagonian]]
|order=[[List of Presidents of Trinidad and Tobago|3rd President of Trinidad and Tobago]]
| office = President of Trinidad and Tobago
|term_start=18 March 1997
| term_start = 18 March 1997
|term_end= 16 March 2003
| term_end = 16 March 2003
⚫
| primeminister = [[Basdeo Panday]]<br>[[Patrick Manning]]
⚫
|predecessor=[[Noor Hassanali]]
⚫
| vicepresident =
⚫
|successor=[[George Maxwell Richards]]
⚫
| predecessor = [[Noor Hassanali]]
⚫
|primeminister=[[Basdeo Panday]] <br /> [[Patrick Manning]]
⚫
| successor = [[George Maxwell Richards]]
⚫
|order2=[[List of Prime Ministers of Trinidad and Tobago|3rd Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago]]
| order2 = 3rd
⚫
|term_start2=18 December 1986
⚫
| office2 = Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago
⚫
|term_end2= 17 December 1991
⚫
| term_start2 = 18 December 1986
⚫
|president2 = [[Ellis Clarke]] <br /> [[Noor Hassanali]]
⚫
| term_end2 = 17 December 1991
⚫
|predecessor2=[[George Chambers]]
⚫
| president2 = [[Ellis Clarke]]<br>[[Noor Hassanali]]
⚫
|successor2=[[Patrick Manning]]
⚫
| predecessor2 = [[George Chambers]]
⚫
|birth_date= {{birth date|1926|12|16|df=y}}
⚫
| successor2 = [[Patrick Manning]]
⚫
|birth_place=[[Scarborough, Tobago|Scarborough]], [[Tobago]], [[Trinidad and Tobago]]
| birth_name = Arthur Napoleon Raymond Robinson
⚫
|death_date= {{death date and age|2014|04|09|1926|12|16|df=y}}
⚫
| birth_date = {{birth date|1926|12|16|df=y}}
⚫
|death_place= [[Port of Spain]], Trinidad and Tobago
⚫
| birth_place = [[Scarborough, Tobago|Scarborough]], [[Tobago]], [[Colony of Trinidad and Tobago]], British Empire
⚫
|spouse=[[Patricia Robinson]]
⚫
| death_date = {{death date and age|2014|04|09|1926|12|16|df=y}}
|alma_mater=[[University of London]]<br />[[Oxford University]]
⚫
| death_place = [[Port of Spain]], Trinidad and Tobago
|party= [[People's National Movement]]<br />[[Democratic Action Congress]]<br />[[National Alliance for Reconstruction]]
⚫
| spouse = [[Patricia Robinson]]
⚫
|vicepresident=
| alma_mater = {{plainlist|
*[[University of London]]
*[[Oxford University]]
}}
}}
| party = {{plainlist|
⚫
'''Arthur Napoleon Raymond Robinson''' {{post nominals|list=[[Senior Counsel|SC]] [[Order of the Caribbean Community|OCC]] [[Trinity Cross|TC]]}} (16 December 1926 – 9 April 2014; known as '''A. N. R.''' or "'''Ray'''" '''Robinson'''), was the third [[List of Presidents of Trinidad and Tobago|President of Trinidad and Tobago]], serving from 19 March 1997 to 17 March 2003. He was also Trinidad and Tobago's third [[List of Prime Ministers of Trinidad and Tobago|Prime Minister]], serving in that capacity from 18 December 1986 to 17 December 1991. He is recognized for his proposal that eventually led to the founding of the [[International Criminal Court]].
*[[People's National Movement]] (until 1970)
*[[Democratic Action Congress]] (1970–1980s)
*[[National Alliance for Reconstruction]] (1980s–2005)
}}
}}
⚫
'''Arthur Napoleon Raymond Robinson''' {{post nominals|list=[[Senior Counsel|SC]] [[Order of the Caribbean Community|OCC]] [[Trinity Cross|TC]]}} (16 December 1926 – 9 April 2014; known as '''A. N. R.''' or "'''Ray'''" '''Robinson'''), was a Trinidadian politician who was the third president of the country, serving from 19 March 1997 to 17 March 2003. He was also Trinidad and Tobago's third prime minister, serving in that capacity from 18 December 1986 to 17 December 1991. He is recognized for his proposal that eventually led to the founding of the [[International Criminal Court]].


Robinson was the first active politician to be elected to the Presidency, and was the first presidential candidate who was not elected unopposed (the Opposition [[People's National Movement]] nominated Justice [[Anthony Lucky]] as its candidate for president). President Robinson sparked controversy in his term in office when he refused to appoint certain senators recommended by Prime Minister [[Basdeo Panday]] following the elections in 2000 and in 2001 when he appointed the [[Opposition (parliamentary)|Leader of the Opposition]] [[Patrick Manning]] to the position of prime minister after a tied election.
Robinson was the first active politician to be elected to the presidency, and was the first presidential candidate who was not elected unopposed (the Opposition [[People's National Movement]] nominated Justice [[Anthony Lucky]] as its candidate for president). President Robinson sparked controversy in his term in office when he refused to appoint certain senators recommended by Prime Minister [[Basdeo Panday]] following the elections in 2000 and in 2001 when he appointed the [[Opposition (parliamentary)|Leader of the Opposition]] [[Patrick Manning]] to the position of prime minister after a tied election.


==Early life==
==Early life==


Robinson was born in Tobago in 1926 to James and Isabella Robinson.<ref name="t+t">{{cite web|url=http://www.ttparliament.org/members.php?mid=26&pid=12&id=ANR01|title=Trinidad and Tobago Parliament}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iramathur.org/Articles/047_PR20.03.97.htm |author=Ira Mathur |title=Memories of Mother Robinson |publisher=Iramathur.org |date=20 March 1997 |access-date=10 April 2014}}</ref> He was educated at Castara Methodist School (where his father served as [[head master]]) and [[Bishop's High School]] where he obtained a [[Higher School Certificate (Trinidad and Tobago)|Higher School Certificate]] with distinction in Latin and competed for an [[Island Scholarship]]. He obtained a [[Bachelor of Laws]] degree from London University as an external student. In 1951 he left for the United Kingdom where he was [[called to the bar]] at [[Inner Temple]] and obtained a degree in philosophy, politics and economics from [[St. John's College, Oxford]].<ref name="t+t"/><ref name="nalis">{{cite web|url=http://www.nalis.gov.tt/Research/SubjectGuide/Biographies/BiographiesPR/tabid/291/Default.aspx?PageContentID=482|title=Arthur Napoleon Raymond Robinson|work=Biographies|publisher=Nalis: Trinidad and Tobago National Library and Information System Authority |access-date=10 April 2014}}</ref> Robinson returned to Trinidad and Tobago where he practised as a [[Barrister-at-Law]].<ref name="t+t"/>
Robinson was born in [[Tobago]] in 1926 to James and Isabella Robinson.<ref name="t+t">{{cite web|url=http://www.ttparliament.org/members.php?mid=26&pid=12&id=ANR01|title=Trinidad and Tobago Parliament}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.iramathur.org/Articles/047_PR20.03.97.htm |author=Ira Mathur |title=Memories of Mother Robinson |publisher=Iramathur.org |date=20 March 1997 |access-date=10 April 2014 |archive-date=13 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413124632/http://www.iramathur.org/Articles/047_PR20.03.97.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> He was educated at Castara Methodist School (where his father served as [[head master]]) and [[Bishop's High School]], where he obtained a [[Higher School Certificate (Trinidad and Tobago)|Higher School Certificate]] with distinction in Latin and competed for an [[Island Scholarship]]. He obtained a [[Bachelor of Laws]] degree from [[London University]] as an external student. In 1951 he left for the United Kingdom, where he was [[called to the bar]] at [[Inner Temple]] and obtained a degree in philosophy, politics and economics from [[St. John's College, Oxford]].<ref name="t+t"/><ref name="nalis">{{cite web|url=http://www.nalis.gov.tt/Research/SubjectGuide/Biographies/BiographiesPR/tabid/291/Default.aspx?PageContentID=482|title=Arthur Napoleon Raymond Robinson|work=Biographies|publisher=Nalis: Trinidad and Tobago National Library and Information System Authority|access-date=10 April 2014|archive-date=9 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150109153030/http://www.nalis.gov.tt/Research/SubjectGuide/Biographies/BiographiesPR/tabid/291/Default.aspx?PageContentID=482|url-status=dead}}</ref> Robinson returned to Trinidad and Tobago, where he practised as a [[Barrister-at-Law]].<ref name="t+t"/>


Robinson married [[Patricia Robinson|Patricia Rawlins]] and had two children, David and Ann-Margaret.<ref name="t+t"/>
Robinson married [[Patricia Robinson|Patricia Rawlins]] and had two children, David and Ann-Margaret.<ref name="t+t"/>


==Political life==
==Political life==
Robinson was a founding member of the [[People's National Movement]] and served in the parliament of the [[West Indies Federation]] between 1958 and 1960.<ref name="nalis"/> In 1961 he was elected to the [[Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago]] where he served as [[member of parliament]] for Tobago. He was the country's [[Ministry of Finance (Trinidad and Tobago)|Minister of Finance]] from 1961 to 1966.<ref name="ministers-of-finance">{{Cite web|url=http://www.finance.gov.tt/about_us.php?mid=31|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221094134/http://www.finance.gov.tt/about_us.php?mid=31|url-status=dead|archive-date=21 February 2014|title=Former Ministers of Finance - Ministry of Finance, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago|date=21 February 2014}}</ref> Following the [[Black Power Revolution]] in 1970, Robinson resigned from the People's National Movement and formed the Action Committee of Dedicated Citizens, which joined forced with the [[Democratic Labour Party (Trinidad and Tobago)|Democratic Labour Party]] to contest the [[1971 Trinidad and Tobago general election|1971 General Elections]]; Robinson and the DLP ended up boycotting the elections in protest over the use of voting machines.<ref name="Premdas">{{cite web|url=http://www.open.uwi.edu/sites/default/files/bnccde/sk&n/conference/papers/RRPremdas.html|title=Self-Determination and Decentralisation in the Caribbean: Tobago and Nevis|last=Premdas|first=Ralph|year=2000|publisher=University of the West Indies|access-date=10 April 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140925000503/http://www.open.uwi.edu/sites/default/files/bnccde/sk%26n/conference/papers/RRPremdas.html|archive-date=25 September 2014}}</ref>
Robinson was a founding member of the People's National Movement and served in the parliament of the [[West Indies Federation]] between 1958 and 1960.<ref name="nalis"/> In 1961 he was elected to the [[Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago]], serving as [[member of parliament]] for Tobago. He was the country's [[Ministry of Finance (Trinidad and Tobago)|Minister of Finance]] from 1961 to 1966.<ref name="ministers-of-finance">{{Cite web|url=http://www.finance.gov.tt/about_us.php?mid=31|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221094134/http://www.finance.gov.tt/about_us.php?mid=31|url-status=dead|archive-date=21 February 2014|title=Former Ministers of Finance - Ministry of Finance, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago|date=21 February 2014}}</ref> Following the [[Black Power Revolution]] in 1970, Robinson resigned from the People's National Movement and formed the Action Committee of Dedicated Citizens, which joined forced with the [[Democratic Labour Party (Trinidad and Tobago)|Democratic Labour Party]] to contest the [[1971 Trinidad and Tobago general election|1971 General Elections]]; Robinson and the DLP ended up boycotting the elections in protest over the use of voting machines.<ref name="Premdas">{{cite web|url=http://www.open.uwi.edu/sites/default/files/bnccde/sk&n/conference/papers/RRPremdas.html|title=Self-Determination and Decentralisation in the Caribbean: Tobago and Nevis|last=Premdas|first=Ralph|year=2000|publisher=University of the West Indies|access-date=10 April 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140925000503/http://www.open.uwi.edu/sites/default/files/bnccde/sk%26n/conference/papers/RRPremdas.html|archive-date=25 September 2014}}</ref>


After the 1971 election, the Action Committee of Dedicated Citizens became the [[Democratic Action Congress]] which won both Tobago seats in the [[1976 Trinidad and Tobago general election|1976 General Elections]]. As leader as the DAC, Robinson worked for internal self-government for Tobago, culminating in the passage of the Tobago House of Assembly Act in 1980. Robinson resigned from Parliament to contest the [[Tobago House of Assembly]] elections, and became the Chairman of the Assembly following victory by the DLP.<ref name = "Premdas"/> He had also proposed the idea of the International Court.
After the 1971 election, the Action Committee of Dedicated Citizens became the [[Democratic Action Congress]] which won both Tobago seats in the [[1976 Trinidad and Tobago general election|1976 General Elections]]. As leader as the DAC, Robinson worked for internal self-government for Tobago, culminating in the passage of the Tobago House of Assembly Act in 1980. Robinson resigned from Parliament to contest the [[Tobago House of Assembly]] elections, and became the Chairman of the Assembly following victory by the DLP.<ref name = "Premdas"/> He had also proposed the idea of the International Court.
In 1981 Robinson allied with the [[United Labour Front]] under the leadership of [[Basdeo Panday]], and the [[Tapia House Movement]], under the leadership of [[Lloyd Best]], to form the [[National Alliance for Reconstruction]]. It entered into an alliance with the [[Organisation for National Reconstruction]], under the leadership of [[Karl Hudson-Phillips]], to successfully fight the [[1983 Trinidad and Tobago local elections]]. Building on this victory the four parties combined to form the [[National Alliance for Reconstruction]].<ref name="death1"/>{{dubious|date=April 2014}}<!--verbatim WP copy on his political life-->
In 1981 Robinson allied with the [[United Labour Front]] under the leadership of Basdeo Panday, and the [[Tapia House Movement]], under the leadership of [[Lloyd Best]], to form the [[National Alliance for Reconstruction]]. It entered into an alliance with the [[Organisation for National Reconstruction]], under the leadership of [[Karl Hudson-Phillips]], to successfully fight the [[1983 Trinidad and Tobago local elections]]. Building on this victory the four parties combined to form the National Alliance for Reconstruction.<ref name="death1"/>{{dubious|date=April 2014}}{{Main|National Alliance for Reconstruction administration}}<!--verbatim WP copy on his political life-->


ANR Robinson went on to become prime minister through the National Alliance For Reconstruction. Shortly after assuming the position, he dismissed Basdeo Panday, John Humphrey, and Kelvin Ramnath from the Cabinet. However, Robinson subsequently lost the 1991 elections. He rejoined the UNC Administration as a coalition member representing the NAR. Panday later offered to nominate him to become the next President of Trinidad and Tobago.
ANR Robinson went on to become prime minister through the National Alliance For Reconstruction. Shortly after assuming the position, he dismissed Basdeo Panday, Kelvin Ramnath, Trevor Sudama and John Humphrey from the Cabinet. However, Robinson subsequently lost the 1991 elections. He rejoined the UNC Administration as a coalition member representing the NAR. Panday later offered to nominate him to become the next President of Trinidad and Tobago.


Robinson was instrumental in the creation of the [[International Criminal Court]]. In 1989, he asked [[Benjamin Ferencz]] and [[Robert Kurt Woetzel]] to assist in drafting a proposal for the UN General Assembly to ask the UN's [[International Law Commission]] to study the possibility of creating the International Criminal Court. The resolution was presented on behalf of Trinidad and Tobago at the UN General Assembly in June 1989, leading to the adoption of the [[Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court]] in July 1998 and creation of the International Criminal Court on 1 July 2002.
Robinson was instrumental in the creation of the International Criminal Court. In 1989, he asked [[Benjamin Ferencz]] and [[Robert Kurt Woetzel]] to assist in drafting a proposal for the UN General Assembly to ask the UN's [[International Law Commission]] to study the possibility of creating the International Criminal Court. The resolution was presented on behalf of Trinidad and Tobago at the UN General Assembly in June 1989, leading to the adoption of the [[Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court]] in July 1998 and creation of the International Criminal Court on 1 July 2002.


===Jamaat al Muslimeen coup attempt===
===Jamaat al Muslimeen coup attempt===
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Robinson suffered from a number of ailments including a stroke and prostate complications and was hospitalised at St. Clair Medical Hospital after he complained of feeling ill.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/Robinson-has-died-254518361.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140411210004/http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/Robinson-has-died-254518361.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 April 2014|title=Robinson has died|date=9 April 2014|work=Trinidad Express|access-date=9 April 2014}}</ref> Following an illness of several months, he died at St. Clair Medical Centre at about 6:00 am on 9 April 2014.<ref name="death1">{{cite web|url=http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/Robinson-has-died-254518361.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140411210004/http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/Robinson-has-died-254518361.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 April 2014|title=Robinson has died|work=Trinidad Express Newspaper}}</ref> In reaction, Prime Minister [[Kamla Persad-Bissessar]] said that he was "one of our nation's outstanding sons...but the legacy he leaves behind shall surely live on to inspire today's and tomorrow's generations."
Robinson suffered from a number of ailments including a stroke and prostate complications and was hospitalised at St. Clair Medical Hospital after he complained of feeling ill.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/Robinson-has-died-254518361.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140411210004/http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/Robinson-has-died-254518361.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 April 2014|title=Robinson has died|date=9 April 2014|work=Trinidad Express|access-date=9 April 2014}}</ref> Following an illness of several months, he died at St. Clair Medical Centre at about 6:00 am on 9 April 2014.<ref name="death1">{{cite web|url=http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/Robinson-has-died-254518361.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140411210004/http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/Robinson-has-died-254518361.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 April 2014|title=Robinson has died|work=Trinidad Express Newspaper}}</ref> In reaction, Prime Minister [[Kamla Persad-Bissessar]] said that he was "one of our nation's outstanding sons...but the legacy he leaves behind shall surely live on to inspire today's and tomorrow's generations."


==Honours==
== Honours ==
⚫
In May 2011, the airport in Tobago was renamed the [[Arthur Napoleon Raymond Robinson International Airport|A. N. R. Robinson International Airport]], replacing the name 'Crown Point International Airport'.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thetobagonews.com/news/TAU_praises_ANR_Robinson_Airport_honour-121745734.html |title=TAU praises ANR Robinson Airport honour |publisher=Thetobagonews.com |date=12 May 2011 |access-date=10 April 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130204043726/http://www.thetobagonews.com/news/TAU_praises_ANR_Robinson_Airport_honour-121745734.html |archive-date=4 February 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tobagoairport.com/ |title=The airport has been officially renamed to A.N.R. Robinson International Airport |publisher=Tobagoairport.com |date=19 May 2011 |access-date=10 April 2014}}</ref>


In 1997 Robinson was awarded the [[Trinity Cross]], at that time the highest order of Trinidad and Tobago.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nalis.gov.tt/Resources/Subject-Guide/Biographies/Biographies-P-R | title=Biographies P-R | publisher=Nalis.gov.tt | accessdate=2022-02-27}}</ref>
⚫
In November 2011, A. N. R. Robinson was the recipient of Tobago's highest award, the Tobago Medal of Honour.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thetobagonews.com/news/ANR_Robinson_receives_Tobago_s_highest_award-134878878.html |title=ANR Robinson receives Tobago's highest award |publisher=Thetobagonews.com |date=1 December 2011 |access-date=10 April 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130204042023/http://www.thetobagonews.com/news/ANR_Robinson_receives_Tobago_s_highest_award-134878878.html |archive-date=4 February 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Parasram |first=Jai |url=http://jyoticommunication.blogspot.co.uk/2011/11/tobago-honours-robinson-with-islands.html |title=Tobago honours Robinson with island's highest award |publisher=Jyoticommunication.blogspot.co.uk |date=30 November 2011 |access-date=10 April 2014}}</ref>


During the investiture of President [[Thomas Boni Yayi]] of [[Benin]] as a titled [[Yoruba people|Yoruba]] [[Nigerian Chieftaincy|chieftain]] on 20 December 2008, the reigning Ooni of [[Ile-Ife]], [[Nigeria]], [[Olubuse II]], referred to President Robinson and his wife as previous recipients of the same royal honour.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://theooni.org/soko.htm |title=His Imperial Majesty, Alayeluwa Oba Okunade Sijuwade, Olubuse ll- The Ooni of Ife |publisher=Theooni.org |date=20 December 2008 |access-date=10 April 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130303202401/http://theooni.org/soko.htm |archive-date=3 March 2013 }}</ref>
During the investiture of President [[Thomas Boni Yayi]] of [[Benin]] as a titled [[Yoruba people|Yoruba]] [[Nigerian Chieftaincy|chieftain]] on 20 December 2008, the reigning Ooni of [[Ile-Ife]], [[Nigeria]], [[Olubuse II]], referred to President Robinson and his wife as previous recipients of the same royal honour.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://theooni.org/soko.htm |title=His Imperial Majesty, Alayeluwa Oba Okunade Sijuwade, Olubuse ll- The Ooni of Ife |publisher=Theooni.org |date=20 December 2008 |access-date=10 April 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130303202401/http://theooni.org/soko.htm |archive-date=3 March 2013 }}</ref>

⚫
In May 2011, the airport in Tobago was renamed the [[Arthur Napoleon Raymond Robinson International Airport|A. N. R. Robinson International Airport]], replacing the name "Crown Point International Airport".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thetobagonews.com/news/TAU_praises_ANR_Robinson_Airport_honour-121745734.html |title=TAU praises ANR Robinson Airport honour |publisher=Thetobagonews.com |date=12 May 2011 |access-date=10 April 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130204043726/http://www.thetobagonews.com/news/TAU_praises_ANR_Robinson_Airport_honour-121745734.html |archive-date=4 February 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tobagoairport.com/ |title=The airport has been officially renamed to A.N.R. Robinson International Airport |publisher=Tobagoairport.com |date=19 May 2011 |access-date=10 April 2014}}</ref>

⚫
In November 2011, A. N. R. Robinson was the recipient of Tobago's highest award, the Tobago Medal of Honour.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thetobagonews.com/news/ANR_Robinson_receives_Tobago_s_highest_award-134878878.html |title=ANR Robinson receives Tobago's highest award |publisher=Thetobagonews.com |date=1 December 2011 |access-date=10 April 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130204042023/http://www.thetobagonews.com/news/ANR_Robinson_receives_Tobago_s_highest_award-134878878.html |archive-date=4 February 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Parasram |first=Jai |url=http://jyoticommunication.blogspot.co.uk/2011/11/tobago-honours-robinson-with-islands.html |title=Tobago honours Robinson with island's highest award |publisher=Jyoticommunication.blogspot.co.uk |date=30 November 2011 |access-date=10 April 2014}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
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[[Category:Prime Ministers of Trinidad and Tobago]]
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[[Category:Presidents of Trinidad and Tobago]]
[[Category:Presidents of Trinidad and Tobago]]
[[Category:Foreign ministers of Trinidad and Tobago]]
[[Category:Foreign ministers of Trinidad and Tobago]]
[[Category:Finance ministers of Trinidad and Tobago]]
[[Category:Finance ministers of Trinidad and Tobago]]
[[Category:Trinidad and Tobago Christians]]
[[Category:Trinidad and Tobago Christians]]
[[Category:Trinidad and Tobago lawyers]]
[[Category:20th-century Trinidad and Tobago lawyers]]
[[Category:Fellows of St John's College, Oxford]]
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[[Category:Members of the Tobago House of Assembly]]
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[[Category:Members of the Federal Parliament of the West Indies Federation]]
[[Category:Members of the Federal Parliament of the West Indies Federation]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Order of the Caribbean Community]]

Latest revision as of 08:02, 1 July 2024

His Excellency
The Honourable
Chief
A. N. R. Robinson
SC OCC TC
3rd President of Trinidad and Tobago
In office
18 March 1997 – 16 March 2003
Prime MinisterBasdeo Panday
Patrick Manning
Preceded byNoor Hassanali
Succeeded byGeorge Maxwell Richards
3rd Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago
In office
18 December 1986 – 17 December 1991
PresidentEllis Clarke
Noor Hassanali
Preceded byGeorge Chambers
Succeeded byPatrick Manning
Personal details
Born
Arthur Napoleon Raymond Robinson

(1926-12-16)16 December 1926
Scarborough, Tobago, Colony of Trinidad and Tobago, British Empire
Died9 April 2014(2014-04-09) (aged 87)
Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
Political party
SpousePatricia Robinson
Alma mater

Arthur Napoleon Raymond Robinson SC OCC TC (16 December 1926 – 9 April 2014; known as A. N. R. or "Ray" Robinson), was a Trinidadian politician who was the third president of the country, serving from 19 March 1997 to 17 March 2003. He was also Trinidad and Tobago's third prime minister, serving in that capacity from 18 December 1986 to 17 December 1991. He is recognized for his proposal that eventually led to the founding of the International Criminal Court.

Robinson was the first active politician to be elected to the presidency, and was the first presidential candidate who was not elected unopposed (the Opposition People's National Movement nominated Justice Anthony Lucky as its candidate for president). President Robinson sparked controversy in his term in office when he refused to appoint certain senators recommended by Prime Minister Basdeo Panday following the elections in 2000 and in 2001 when he appointed the Leader of the Opposition Patrick Manning to the position of prime minister after a tied election.

Early life[edit]

Robinson was born in Tobago in 1926 to James and Isabella Robinson.[1][2] He was educated at Castara Methodist School (where his father served as head master) and Bishop's High School, where he obtained a Higher School Certificate with distinction in Latin and competed for an Island Scholarship. He obtained a Bachelor of Laws degree from London University as an external student. In 1951 he left for the United Kingdom, where he was called to the bar at Inner Temple and obtained a degree in philosophy, politics and economics from St. John's College, Oxford.[1][3] Robinson returned to Trinidad and Tobago, where he practised as a Barrister-at-Law.[1]

Robinson married Patricia Rawlins and had two children, David and Ann-Margaret.[1]

Political life[edit]

Robinson was a founding member of the People's National Movement and served in the parliament of the West Indies Federation between 1958 and 1960.[3] In 1961 he was elected to the Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago, serving as member of parliament for Tobago. He was the country's Minister of Finance from 1961 to 1966.[4] Following the Black Power Revolution in 1970, Robinson resigned from the People's National Movement and formed the Action Committee of Dedicated Citizens, which joined forced with the Democratic Labour Party to contest the 1971 General Elections; Robinson and the DLP ended up boycotting the elections in protest over the use of voting machines.[5]

After the 1971 election, the Action Committee of Dedicated Citizens became the Democratic Action Congress which won both Tobago seats in the 1976 General Elections. As leader as the DAC, Robinson worked for internal self-government for Tobago, culminating in the passage of the Tobago House of Assembly Act in 1980. Robinson resigned from Parliament to contest the Tobago House of Assembly elections, and became the Chairman of the Assembly following victory by the DLP.[5] He had also proposed the idea of the International Court.

In 1981 Robinson allied with the United Labour Front under the leadership of Basdeo Panday, and the Tapia House Movement, under the leadership of Lloyd Best, to form the National Alliance for Reconstruction. It entered into an alliance with the Organisation for National Reconstruction, under the leadership of Karl Hudson-Phillips, to successfully fight the 1983 Trinidad and Tobago local elections. Building on this victory the four parties combined to form the National Alliance for Reconstruction.[6][dubious – discuss]

Main article: National Alliance for Reconstruction administration

ANR Robinson went on to become prime minister through the National Alliance For Reconstruction. Shortly after assuming the position, he dismissed Basdeo Panday, Kelvin Ramnath, Trevor Sudama and John Humphrey from the Cabinet. However, Robinson subsequently lost the 1991 elections. He rejoined the UNC Administration as a coalition member representing the NAR. Panday later offered to nominate him to become the next President of Trinidad and Tobago.

Robinson was instrumental in the creation of the International Criminal Court. In 1989, he asked Benjamin Ferencz and Robert Kurt Woetzel to assist in drafting a proposal for the UN General Assembly to ask the UN's International Law Commission to study the possibility of creating the International Criminal Court. The resolution was presented on behalf of Trinidad and Tobago at the UN General Assembly in June 1989, leading to the adoption of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court in July 1998 and creation of the International Criminal Court on 1 July 2002.

Jamaat al Muslimeen coup attempt[edit]

During the 1990 coup d'état attempt by the Jamaat al Muslimeen, Robinson and much of his cabinet were held hostage for six days by gunmen under the leadership of Yasin Abu Bakr. When instructed to order the army to stop firing on the Red House, where they were held hostage, Robinson instead instructed them to "attack with full force," an action which led to him getting beaten by his captors. He was also shot in his leg.[7]

Illness and death[edit]

Robinson suffered from a number of ailments including a stroke and prostate complications and was hospitalised at St. Clair Medical Hospital after he complained of feeling ill.[8] Following an illness of several months, he died at St. Clair Medical Centre at about 6:00 am on 9 April 2014.[6] In reaction, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar said that he was "one of our nation's outstanding sons...but the legacy he leaves behind shall surely live on to inspire today's and tomorrow's generations."

Honours[edit]

In 1997 Robinson was awarded the Trinity Cross, at that time the highest order of Trinidad and Tobago.[9]

During the investiture of President Thomas Boni Yayi of Benin as a titled Yoruba chieftain on 20 December 2008, the reigning Ooni of Ile-Ife, Nigeria, Olubuse II, referred to President Robinson and his wife as previous recipients of the same royal honour.[10]

In May 2011, the airport in Tobago was renamed the A. N. R. Robinson International Airport, replacing the name "Crown Point International Airport".[11][12]

In November 2011, A. N. R. Robinson was the recipient of Tobago's highest award, the Tobago Medal of Honour.[13][14]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d "Trinidad and Tobago Parliament".
  2. ^ Ira Mathur (20 March 1997). "Memories of Mother Robinson". Iramathur.org. Archived from the original on 13 April 2014. Retrieved 10 April 2014.
  3. ^ a b "Arthur Napoleon Raymond Robinson". Biographies. Nalis: Trinidad and Tobago National Library and Information System Authority. Archived from the original on 9 January 2015. Retrieved 10 April 2014.
  4. ^ "Former Ministers of Finance - Ministry of Finance, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago". 21 February 2014. Archived from the original on 21 February 2014.
  5. ^ a b Premdas, Ralph (2000). "Self-Determination and Decentralisation in the Caribbean: Tobago and Nevis". University of the West Indies. Archived from the original on 25 September 2014. Retrieved 10 April 2014.
  6. ^ a b "Robinson has died". Trinidad Express Newspaper. Archived from the original on 11 April 2014.
  7. ^ Taitt, Ria (25 January 2011). "Robbie: I was shot and beaten; Former PM describes hostage ordeal". Trinidadexpress.com. Archived from the original on 13 April 2014. Retrieved 10 April 2014.
  8. ^ "Robinson has died". Trinidad Express. 9 April 2014. Archived from the original on 11 April 2014. Retrieved 9 April 2014.
  9. ^ "Biographies P-R". Nalis.gov.tt. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
  10. ^ "His Imperial Majesty, Alayeluwa Oba Okunade Sijuwade, Olubuse ll- The Ooni of Ife". Theooni.org. 20 December 2008. Archived from the original on 3 March 2013. Retrieved 10 April 2014.
  11. ^ "TAU praises ANR Robinson Airport honour". Thetobagonews.com. 12 May 2011. Archived from the original on 4 February 2013. Retrieved 10 April 2014.
  12. ^ "The airport has been officially renamed to A.N.R. Robinson International Airport". Tobagoairport.com. 19 May 2011. Retrieved 10 April 2014.
  13. ^ "ANR Robinson receives Tobago's highest award". Thetobagonews.com. 1 December 2011. Archived from the original on 4 February 2013. Retrieved 10 April 2014.
  14. ^ Parasram, Jai (30 November 2011). "Tobago honours Robinson with island's highest award". Jyoticommunication.blogspot.co.uk. Retrieved 10 April 2014.

External links[edit]

Political offices
Preceded by President of Trinidad and Tobago
1997–2003 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago
1986–1991 		Succeeded by
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