Although born in Scotland, William Robinson spent most of his life in England, having moved with his family to Liverpool when he was around 10 years of age, continuing his education at the Liverpool Institute Grammar School. A keen swimmer, Robinson became captain of the Liverpool Swimming Club as a youngster and in 1903, when aged 33, won the inaugural ASA 200 yards breaststroke title. He went on to win it three years in succession, 1903-05. Despite not winning the ASA title since 1905, Robinson was selected for the 1908 Olympics and, at the age of 38 years 25 days, became the oldest Olympic swimming medallist for over 100 years, until surpassed by Dara Torres at Beijing in 2008.
Just weeks after winning his Olympic medal, Robinson swam 2:41.2 for the 200 yards breast at Seacombe’s famous Guinea Gap Baths and, in doing so, broke Fred Holman’s world record. When the British swimming squad for the 1912 Olympics was announced, Robinson was provisionally in the team but never made the final squad. After his swimming career, he continued to be a highly successful merchant and much respected Liverpool businessman.
Great Britain