Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Celebrate “Jockey” John Robinson
March 17, 2025
Washington and Lee, like most universities, has benefited from the gifts of alumni, trustees and other benefactors. A particularly timely gift was the 1826 bequest of “Jockey” John Robinson, an Irishman, who moved at an early age to Rockbridge County.
A trustee of Washington College, his estate, valued at $50,000, saved the struggling institution, which at the time had only 65 students and inadequate facilities. He had previously made several gifts to Washington Academy: donating property after the fire of 1803 and eventually subsidizing the construction of what became Washington Hall. Like George Washington before him and Robert E. Lee forty years later, it is not an exaggeration to state that he "saved" our institution. Robinson Hall was named in recognition of this generosity. A monument to him is on the Colonnade, and he is buried beneath it.
In the frantic rush to achieve political correctness in 2019, Washington and Lee University decided — apparently because Mr. Robinson (as many did at the time) owned slaves — that it was not appropriate to have a building named for him. Like the numerous references to George Washington and Robert E. Lee, “Jockey” John Robinson was cancelled. Robinson Hall, where students had attended classes for 175 years, no longer existed.
The building was renamed Chavis Hall, in honor of John Chavis, who is claimed to be the first African American to graduate from our institution. That conclusion is subject to debate, and there is also some indication that he — like “Jockey” John — was a slave owner.
Interestingly, when a historical marker on campus was dedicated to Mr. Chavis in 2016, then Washington and Lee President Kenneth Ruscio proclaimed, “we must see this as part of an ongoing — and long overdue — effort to tell the history of Washington and Lee courageously and completely, and to learn from it.”
Can anyone seriously contend that the current Administration is "tell(ing) the history of Washington and Lee courageously and completely?"
"Jockey" John Robinson, born in Armagh County, Ireland, should not be forgotten or cancelled. And on this St. Patrick's Day, his contributions to Washington Academy should be celebrated.
Can we count on you to advance the munificent legacy of “Jockey” John and support The Generals Redoubt today?
A group of generous donors have expressed their enthusiasm for “Jockey” John by creating a $75,000 Match Gift to complete our Sixth Annual Fund. From now until June 30, 2025, all contributions up to that amount will be DOUBLED, enabling TGR to educate students about Washington and Lee’s rich history and to show the W&L administration that our past is not easily forgotten.
Click here to DONATE and stay tuned for upcoming programs that discuss “Jockey” John’s life and legacy.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Sincerely,
Stephen W. Robinson (no relation) '72A, '75L
President