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Employees & Successors

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Charles M. Robinson’s name appeared on the drawings, but the extraordinary volume of work produced by his practice was the work of a much larger team. Over more than two decades in Virginia, architects, engineers, draftsmen and staff worked alongside Robinson to design and oversee projects throughout the Commonwealth.

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Some remained with Robinson for many years. Others passed through his drafting room before building careers of their own. And after Robinson’s death in 1932, members of the practice carried the work forward through a succession of architectural firms that continued for generations.

PRINCIPALS, IMPORTANT FIGURES & EMPLOYEES

Charles Custer Robinson

Son
1892 – 1963

Robinson’s son joined the firm as a structural and mechanical engineer and became one of its principal figures. After his father’s death, he later established his own architectural and engineering practice in Hampton.

John Binford Walford

Successor
1891 – 1956

Walford joined Robinson’s firm around 1919 and remained through its final years. After Robinson’s death in 1932, he became his professional successor and continued the practice as J. Binford Walford, Architect.

Benjamin A. “Ben” Ruffin

Business Partner, Secretary-Treasurer & Financial Manager
1879 – 1939

Ruffin served as Secretary-Treasurer and was a central business figure in Robinson’s practice. Though not an architect, he played an important role in the firm’s financial and business operations.

Oscar Pendleton Wright

Successor to J. Binford Walford

1886 – 1964

Wright became J. Binford Walford’s partner in Walford & Wright in 1946. He later became a founding principal of Wright, Jones & Wilkerson, continuing the professional lineage of Robinson’s practice.

Hubert Lefebvre Jones

Successor

1921 – 2004

A longtime draftsman and architect with Walford & Wright, Jones became a partner in 1955. In 1962, he became a named principal in the successor firm Wright, Jones & Wilkerson.

Charles Edward Wilkerson

Successor
1921 – 2014

Wilkerson became a partner in Walford & Wright in 1955 and managing partner in 1962. The practice was then reorganized as Wright, Jones & Wilkerson.

STAFF IN APPROXIMATE CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER

James T. Robinson

First Mentor and Collaborator
1837 – 1917

Charles M. Robinson’s father was an early mentor and collaborator who later worked with his son’s Virginia practice.

David Sprague Hopkins

Second Mentor
1836 – 1918

Robinson began his architectural training under architect and plan-book publisher David Sprague Hopkins in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Robinson worked under Hopkins as a student and delineator before beginning his independent career.

Jackson Davis

Mentor, Separate but Equal Facilities
1882 – 1947

Educator Jackson Davis worked with Robinson on school projects and efforts to improve educational facilities for African American students within Virginia’s segregated school system. Their professional relationship continued for decades.

Charles Freeman Gillette

Employee

1886 – 1969

Landscape architect Charles F. Gillette collaborated with Robinson beginning in the 1920s, particularly at William & Mary. He continued working with Robinson’s successor firms after Robinson’s death.

George Shirley Pitman, Sr.

Clerk, Accountant, Assitant Treasurer

1884 – 1958

Pitman joined Robinson’s office as a clerk and later became Assistant Secretary-Treasurer of Charles M. Robinson, Inc. He remained with the firm through 1917.

 Mary Frederick Mathieu & her Sister-in-Law Mrs. Annie M. Mathieu.

Employees

Mary Frederick Mathieu worked for Robinson’s firm as a stenographer and later Office Secretary. Records also suggest an association with an Annie M. Mathieu, although her precise role has not been conclusively established.

EMPLOYEES WHOSE INITIALS AND NAMES APPEAR ON ARCHITECTURAL PLANS

The initials and names of these individuals can be found on the architectural plans catalogued in the complete census. 

Marcellus Eugene Wright, Sr.

"Wright" & "MEW"
1881 – 1962

Wright was among Robinson’s earliest Virginia architectural associates before establishing his own practice. The two later collaborated on projects including Richmond’s Acca Temple Shrine Mosque, now the Altria Theater.

Benjamin West Poindexter, Sr.

"BWP"

1870 – 1928

Poindexter was among Robinson’s earliest Virginia employees and appears as an assistant on early firm letterhead. He later worked independently and with other Richmond architectural practices.

Clarence Henry Hinnant, Sr.

"Hinnant" and "CHH"

1888 – 1952

Hinnant joined Robinson’s practice around 1908–09, making him one of its earliest Virginia employees. His name or initials appear on plans through 1911.

John Barr Crawford

"Crawford" or "JBC"
1877 – 1948

Crawford joined Robinson as a draftsman and became Chief Draftsman by 1913. He later spent many years as an architect for the federal government.

Archie Julian Streat

"AJS" or "Streat"

1893 – 1956

Streat was an important member of Robinson’s early architectural staff. He later worked in architecture and construction, including with Carneal & Johnston and the John T. Wilson Company.

Henry Thomas Barnham

"HTB"

1886 – 1937

Barnham joined Robinson’s firm as a draftsman and became Chief Draftsman by 1914. He later established his own architectural and engineering practice in Richmond.

Charles L. Hofmann

"Hoffman" or "CLH"
1877 – 1940

Hofmann served as Chief Draftsman for Charles M. Robinson, Inc. from 1915 through 1917. He later practiced independently and worked with several other former Robinson employees.

Paul M. Egan

"Egan"

Egan is listed as a draftsman for Charles M. Robinson in 1913. Little additional information about his association with the firm has been found.

Benjamin Gordon Nunnally

"BN" or "BGN" or "Nunnally"

1895 – 1922

Nunnally began with Robinson’s firm as a clerk and advanced to draftsman and architect. He left the practice around 1917 and died in 1922 at age 26.

Rufus Gordon Richardson

"RGR"

1886 – 1962

Richardson spent more than sixteen years with Robinson’s practice and eventually became Chief Draftsman. He later worked with J. Binford Walford and Walford & Wright.

Charles Kirkpatrick Bryant

"CKB" or "Bryant"

1869 – 1933

Already an established Richmond architect, Bryant collaborated with Robinson before briefly working within his practice in 1917. His involvement is documented on several surviving plans.

Arthur Edward Rupp, Sr.

"Rupp" or "AER"

1900 – 1972

Rupp worked as a draftsman for Robinson during the 1920s. He later pursued a career in design and engineering, including work with the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway.

William Henry Rhodes

"Rhodes" or "WHR"

1899 – 1955

Rhodes worked briefly as a draftsman for Robinson around 1920. He later worked for Henry T. Barnham and the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway.

Elmer Gerald Rust

"Elmer" or "EGR"

1889 – 1967

Rust became Chief Draftsman and a prominent designer in Robinson’s office during the 1920s. He remained with the practice until approximately 1931 before returning to New York.

Wilton O. Snell

Snell appears briefly in the Robinson record in connection with plans from 1920. Little additional information about his association with the firm has been found.

Ernest Rucker Gilbert, Jr.

"ERG"
1901 – 1990

Gilbert’s initials appear on two sets of Robinson plans, and he later recalled working in the office. His exact role remains uncertain and may have been limited or undertaken while he was a student.

Robert Ainsloe Morrisette, Sr.

"RAM"

1879 – 1940

Morrisette worked as a draftsman with Robinson through much of the 1920s. He later worked for J. Binford Walford, connecting him directly with Robinson’s successor practice.

Camillus Hutson Kennedy, Jr.

"CHK"

1896 – 1973

Kennedy worked as a draftsman for Robinson in the mid-1920s. He later joined J. Binford Walford and remained through the transitions to Walford & Wright and Wright, Jones & Wilkerson.

Frank Wingo Owen

"FWO"
1893 – 1968

Owen worked as a draftsman for Robinson in the mid-1920s. He later became an architectural designer for the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway and was a pallbearer at Robinson’s funeral.

Richard Landrum Mays, Jr.

"RLM"
1905 – 2002

Mays began with Robinson’s firm as a clerk before becoming a draftsman through its final year in 1932. He later worked for J. Binford Walford and other Richmond architects.

Edward D. Drummond

"EDD"

The initials “EDD” appear on two sets of Robinson plans from 1927–28. They are believed to represent Edward D. Drummond, although the identification remains unconfirmed.

Thomas O'Brien Black

"TOB"
1908 – 1982

Black worked as a draftsman for Robinson from 1927 through the firm’s final years. He later worked for J. Binford Walford and then became an architect with the National Park Service.

C. R. Kirk

Kirk is identified in the 1926 photograph of Robinson’s drafting room. His full identity and precise role in the firm remain unknown.

1911 Park View School Portsmouth Girls and Boys Toilet Rooms drawn by Charles Henry Hinnan
Armstrong High School Colored Front Elevation 63.jpg
JEB Stuart Elementary July 1927 Existing Plans prepared for proposed addition.jpg

INITIALS WHOSE NAMES CANNOT BE DETERMINED IN ROUGH CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER

“EFS”

(4/1911) – Only on one set of plans: The Harrison Street Post Office

 

“MCM”

(6/1912 to 8/1912) – Durham, NC Hotel; Orlean, NY Presbyterian Church; Henrico County Industrial School; Radford Dormitory #1

 

“Schley”

(7/1912) – Only on the Orlean, NY Presbyterian Church

 

“K. Mc”

(12/1914) – Only on Richmond’s Bainbridge Jr. High School

 

“Rudolph”

(7/1914) – Only on Goochland State Farm Chapel and two Newport News, Virginia Retail Stores

 

“HCM”

(7/1914) – Only on the Orlean, NY Presbyterian Church and the Goochland State Farm Chapel

 

“Austin”

(8/1916) – Only on the Miller & Rhoads Store Addition

 

“JSN”

(4/1917) – Only on The Clifton Forge High School Plans

 

“Messer”

(4/1919) – Only on the Sewer System of the Blue Ridge Sanitarium

 

“RO”

(10/1919) – Only on the Laburnum Corporation Garage Plans and the Kavanaugh Hotel Addition and Alteration Plans

 

“NWS”

(3/1920 to 5/1921) – Five Sets of Plans including Richmond and Portsmouth Schools

 

“HSS”

(5/1920) – Only on the Heating System Plans for the Kavanaugh Hotel and James Madison CollegeHeating Revisions for Science Building

 

“CRT”

(6/1920) – Only on Two Boiler House and Laundry Plans for James Madison College

“CRJ”

(6/1920 to 3/1922) – Four Various Virginia Public Schools

 

“CFD”

(5/1920 to 4/1922)

 

“HBS”

(3/1920 to 6/1921)

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“GAS”

(5/1921 to 9/1921)

 

“WCL”

(5/1921 to 3/1922)

 

“HB”

(8/1922) – Only on 1 page of Webster Davis School

 

“HAC”

(8/1922 to 1/1923)

 

“EW”

(9/1921 to 9/1922 and 11/1927 to 9/1928)

 

“ABMc” and “ABM”

(1/1922 to 7/1922)

 

“GBO"

(7/1922) – Only on 2 sets of plans:  American National Bank Building and a residence

 

“FWS”

(1/1922) – One set of Boiler Piping Plans at William & Mary

 

“HFP”

(4/1922) –Two Sets of Plans:  A Norfolk Public School and one Stock Classroom Design

 

“AHW”

(5/1923 to 9/1923)

 

“JTL”

(7/1923) – Only on a few pages of the Portsmouth and Norfolk Administration Building

 

“Frank”

(9/1923) – Only on the Blow Gymnasium Plans

 

“CJF”

(7/1923 to 6/1924)

 

“ALT”

(1/1924) –Only on the Norfolk County Indian School

“Long”

(6/1925) – Only on one Portsmouth Public School

 

“MTS”

(5/1926 to 8/1926)

 

“LWL”

(8/1927 to 10/1927)

 

“MGW”

(3/1928 to 8/1928)

 

“SWC”

(4/1928 to 12/1930) – Many plans including Cannon Chapel, Williamsburg Methodist Church, Ginter Park School

 

“WHT”

(9/1928 to 2/1929) – Many plans including Newport News Library

 

“LMS”

(4/1928 to 6/1928) – Dairy Barn and Byrd Hall at VSU

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“LNS”

(4/1928 to 10/1928) [Not to be confused with “LMS”] – Orcutt Avenue Baptist Church and Motion Picture Booth at Phi Beta Kappa Hall

 

“EW”

(11/1927 to 10/1930)

 

“LCM”

(6/1928 to 10/1929)

 

“CMM”

(9/1929) – One set of Plans: Orange, Virginia Methodist Episcopal Church Sunday School Addition

 

“WJK”

(3/1926 and 1/1929 to 2/1929) – Three Sets of Plans:  Rogers Science Hall, Thomas Jefferson High School and University of Richmond Science Complex

 

“ARC”

(9/1929 to 9/1930)

 

“EWT”

(3/1930 to 7/1930)

 

“OKA”

(3/1930) – Only Wilson Hall at James Madison

 

“EWT”

(3/1930 to 9/1930)

THE EVOLUTION OF THE PRACTICE

Robinson’s death in 1932 ended his direct involvement with the practice, but it did not end the professional lineage he had established. J. Binford Walford continued the practice, and over the following decades new partners joined, firm names changed and another generation of architects took its place.

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J. Binford Walford, Architect

1932–1946

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Walford & Wright

1946–1961

J. Binford Walford · Oscar Pendleton Wright

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Wright, Jones & Wilkerson

1962–1991
Oscar Pendleton Wright · Hubert Lefebvre Jones · Charles Edward Wilkerson

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Wright Jones Wilkerson Rothschild Boynton

1991–1994

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Boynton Rothschild Rowland Architects

1994–2020

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The succession preserved more than a professional connection. Robinson’s architectural drawings remained with the practices that followed his, allowing an unusually extensive record of his work—and of the people who helped create it—to survive for generations.

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HAVE ADDITIONAL INFO?

Do you have a correction, additional biographical information, a photograph or other material related to any of the people featured here? We welcome contributions that help expand and improve these biographies. Please use our contact form to share updates, documents or images and help us build a fuller picture of the people behind Charles M. Robinson’s practice and its successor firms.

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The Architectural Legacy of
Charles M. Robinson

Dedicated to documenting, preserving, and sharing the architectural legacy of Charles M. Robinson for future generations.

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