Virginia honors John Robinson, Black Reconstruction-era leader, with historical marker
Black members of the 1887-88 Virginia General Assembly. Then-state Sen. John Robinson is pictured on the far left of the back row. (Photo courtesy of Encyclopedia of Virginia)
A man who fought for justice, public education, and civil rights in post-Civil War Virginia is finally getting his due. This Friday, Cumberland County will unveil a state historical marker honoring John Robinson, a Black politician, businessman, and Reconstruction-era leader who helped shape Virginia's democracy in the 19th century.
Born free in Cumberland County around 1825 and formerly known as John Lipscomb, Robinson was a landowner and carriage driver before the Civil War, according to a new release by the Virginia Department of Historic Resources.
His life took a dramatic turn in 1864 when he was twice attacked by white men, forcing him to flee to Amelia County. Robinson later used the courts to hold his attackers accountable and defend his property rights — a move that historians consider extraordinary for a Black man in the 19th century.
A staunch Republican, Robinson emerged as a political force during Reconstruction. He was elected to Virginia's 1867-68 Constitutional Convention, where he aligned with radical reformers seeking to expand rights for Black citizens. From 1869 to 1873, he served as a state senator, helping to establish Virginia's public school system and voting to ratify the 14th and 15th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution, which granted citizenship and voting rights to Black men.
After leaving the Senate, Robinson returned to Cumberland County, where he ran the Effingham House tavern for 30 years. He died in 1908.
The Virginia Board of Historic Resources approved the historical marker in March 2024. Its installation was made possible by an anonymous donation to Cumberland Middle School, the marker's official sponsor.
Virginia's state historical marker program, the oldest in the country, was launched in 1927. Today, more than 2,600 markers stand along roadsides across the state, preserving the stories of influential figures like Robinson.
The dedication ceremony will take place on Friday at 1:15 p.m. at the marker's location at 1474 Anderson Highway in Cumberland. The event is free and open to the public.
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