 Robinson was son of John W. Robinson (1831-1920, younger brother of James Wallace Robinson) and his wife Sarah Coe (1831-1901).Robinson was educated at the local high school and latter attended Ohio Wesleyan University 1886 to 1889, studied law with his uncle, and at Ohio State University College of Law from 1892 to 1893.At the latter he was a member of the first law class.