Thomas Robinson, 1st Baron Grantham

Thomas Robinson, 1st Baron Grantham (circa 1695 – 30 September 1770), was a British diplomat and politician. He was associated with Newby in Yorkshire.

Robinson was born around 1695. He was the younger son of Sir William Robinson, Baronet (1655–1736), of Newby-on-Swale, Yorkshire. Sir William Robinson served as Member of Parliament for York from 1697 to 1722. Thomas Robinson's elder brother was Rear Admiral Sir Tancred Robinson.

His education included attendance at Westminster School and Trinity College, Cambridge. He matriculated at Trinity College in 1712, obtained a scholarship in 1714, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1716 and a Master of Arts in 1719. In 1718, he was elected to a fellowship at Trinity College. Later, in 1723, he was admitted to the Middle Temple, a professional association for barristers.

Robinson's early diplomatic career was conducted in Paris. In the 1727 British general election, he was elected Member of Parliament for Thirsk, a borough under the influence of the Frankland family. His election followed his elder brother's resignation of the seat. During this Parliament, Robinson was absent from recorded votes, likely due to diplomatic duties.

Following his initial diplomatic experience in Paris, Robinson served as the English ambassador to Vienna from 1730 to 1748. During his tenure in Vienna, he engaged in diplomatic negotiations, including efforts in 1741 to mediate between Empress Maria Theresa and Frederick the Great of Prussia, which were unsuccessful. In 1748, he represented Great Britain at the Congress of Aix-la-Chapelle. He was appointed a Knight Companion of the Bath in 1742.

After returning to England, Robinson represented Christchurch in Parliament from 1749 to 1761. In 1750, he was appointed to the Privy Council.

In 1754, Robinson was appointed Secretary of State for the Southern Department and Leader of the House of Commons under Prime Minister the Duke of Newcastle. This appointment was notable for a remark by William Pitt to Charles James Fox, criticizing the appointment. Robinson resigned from the Secretary of State position in November 1755. In April 1761, he was elevated to the peerage as Baron Grantham.

Throughout his later career, Robinson held several positions, including Master of the Great Wardrobe (1749–1754, 1755–1760) and joint Postmaster-General in 1765 and 1766. He passed away in London on 30 September 1770.

Robinson married Frances Worsley, daughter of Thomas Worsley of Hovingham, on 13 July 1737. They had two sons and six daughters. His eldest son, Thomas Robinson, succeeded to the peerage. The town of Grantham in New Hampshire, United States, is named after him.