Biography

02/05/1942 - 06/09/2020


ROBINSON, William Russell, a Representative from Allegheny County; born on February 5, 1942; graduated, Schenley High School, 1960; B.A., political science, Ohio State, 1964; M.A., political science, Duquesne University, 1972; attended, Howard University; political scientist; educator; political editor, New Pittsburgh Courier; television, radio, and newspaper personality, Pittsburgh; poet; freelance writer; elected, city council, Pittsburgh (1978-1985); elected as a Democrat to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 1988; served 6 consecutive terms thereafter; appointed, Task Force on Higher Education Funding (1994); appointed, Legislative Commission on Restructuring Pennsylvania's Urban Schools (1997); unsuccessful campaign for reelection to the House (2002); elected, council, Allegheny County (2003-2015); died, June 9, 2020 in Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania; interred, Homewood Cemetery, Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. 

Archival Collections

Papers of William Russell Robinson, 1989-2002 (2002.006), Pennsylvania House of Representatives Archives, Harrisburg.

Oral History

Rep. William R. Robinson Oral History, Pennsylvania House of Representatives Archives (December 1, 2008).


If you wish to contact your current State Representative, please visit the Find Your Legislator - opens in a new tab page; or visit the Members of the House - opens in a new tab page to view a list of all current Representatives.