Frederick O. Robinson was born in 1903 in Port Arthur, Ontario, and was educated through a machinist trade apprenticeship. Robinson worked at the Canadian National Railway (CNR) for 25 years before being elected to the Ontario Legislature in 1943, representing the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) party. Despite his election win, Robinson continued working as a machinist at the CNR.
From 1943 to 1945, Robinson served on the Board of Education. In this role, Robinson pushed to establish a university in Northwestern Ontario; this work led to the founding of the Lakehead Technical Institute (1946), which later became Lakehead University.
From 1946-1949, Robinson served on the Port Arthur City Council. From 1949-1955, Robinson was elected the Mayor of Port Arthur. His time in office is remembered for the founding of new schools, new health and welfare offices, and a new fire hall; and improving infrastructure, such as sidewalks and storm sewers. After 1955, Robinson served as a Personnel and Public Relations Officer for the Port Arthur Public Utilities Commission. Robinson retired in 1966 and passed away in 1969.
- Lakehead University Archive. Frederick O. Robinson fonds. https://archives.lakeheadu.ca/index.php/frederick-o-robinson-fonds
- City of Thunder Bay. Mayor Frederick Oliver Robinson. https://www.thunderbay.ca/en/city-hall/mayor-frederick-oliver-robinson.aspx