F. J. Robinson, 1st Viscount Goderich

Frederick John Robinson, 1st Earl of Ripon (1 November 1782 – 28 January 1859), was a British politician. He was known as The Honourable F. J. Robinson until 1827 and as Viscount Goderich from 1827 to 1833. Robinson was born at Newby Hall in Yorkshire, the second son of Thomas Robinson, 2nd Baron Grantham, and Lady Mary Jemima Yorke, daughter of Philip Yorke, 2nd Earl of Hardwicke.

His education included a preparatory school at Sunbury-on-Thames, Harrow School (1796–1799), and St John's College, Cambridge (1799–1802). While at Cambridge, Robinson was recognized as an accomplished classicist, earning Sir William Browne's Medal for Latin poetry in 1801. After graduation, he was admitted to Lincoln's Inn in 1802 but did not pursue a legal career.

Robinson served in the military temporarily as a captain in 1803 and as a major from 1814 to 1817 in the Northern Regiment of West Riding Yeomanry, during the period of the Napoleonic Wars.

He entered politics through family connections, serving as private secretary to Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, the third Earl of Hardwicke, in 1804. In 1806, he was elected as Member of Parliament (MP) for Carlow, a pocket borough associated with his family. In 1807, Robinson was elected as MP for Ripon, Yorkshire.

Robinson's early ministerial roles included serving as secretary of Lord Pembroke's 1807 mission to Vienna and as under-secretary at the War Office in 1809 under Lord Castlereagh. He also served as a member of the Board of Admiralty in 1810 and was appointed a Privy Counsellor in August 1812.

In 1814, Robinson married Lady Sarah Hobart, daughter of the 4th Earl of Buckinghamshire; they had three children, only one of whom, George Frederick Samuel Robinson (later the 1st Marquess of Ripon), survived to adulthood.

From 1812 to 1818, Robinson served as Vice-President of the Board of Trade and as joint-Paymaster of the Forces (1813–1817). He sponsored the Corn Laws of 1815, a protectionist measure imposing minimum prices on imported grains. The Corn Laws prompted significant political debate and unrest, including violent attacks on Robinson’s residence.

In 1818, Robinson joined the cabinet as President of the Board of Trade and Treasurer of the Navy. In 1823, he succeeded Nicholas Vansittart as Chancellor of the Exchequer, a position he held until 1827. During his tenure, he managed the public finances effectively, and his administration saw surplus revenues in the first three years. His policies included tax cuts and funding collections for the British Museum’s library and the National Gallery’s collection.

Robinson was elevated to the peerage as Viscount Goderich in January 1827. During the subsequent political realignment following the death of Prime Minister George Canning in August 1827, Robinson succeeded Canning as Prime Minister. His brief tenure lasted only 144 days due to difficulties in maintaining a coalition and political support.

After resigning as Prime Minister, Robinson continued his political career, serving in the cabinets of Earl Grey and Sir Robert Peel.

He was created Earl of Ripon in 1833 and held various peerages until his death. Robinson died on 28 January 1859.