Horace W. Robbins

There was no face more familiar or more welcome in the rooms of The Century than that of our kindly, faithful friend, Horace W. Robbins. For more than forty years, since he joined the club, a lad of twenty-one [sic: he was twenty], he was a sympathetic and constant participant in its pleasures and duties, and his relation to it was marked by that sense of balance between duty and pleasure essential to the clubable man. Mr. Robbins was born in Mobile, Ala., in 1842, and was graduated from Newton University, Baltimore, in 1860, whence he removed to New York, serving in the 22d New York Regiment in the Harper’s [sic: “Harpers” intended] Ferry campaign of 1862. Later he took up the study of art, which he pursued for three years in Paris. His associations in this country were with the “Hudson River School,” of which James Hart and F. E. Church were leaders of influence and distinction, and Mr. Robbins earned a creditable place in the landscape art of that time. He was long and actively connected with the National Academy of Design, of which he became a full member in 1878, subsequently acting as secretary for ten years, and as First Vice-President for several years. When nearly fifty, he took the unusual step from art to law and was admitted to the bar in 1892. His remaining years were devoted to that profession and to the care of several estates. In the management of the affairs of The Century he took an active part in many offices, and always loyally. He is sadly missed.

Edward Cary
1905 Century Association Yearbook