White House Historical Association

Robert R. Robinson

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"Robert R. Robinson," White House Workers History Project, White House Historical Association, 2026, https://whha.whirlihost.com/Detail/workers/737.
Positions
Dog Keeper
Houseman
Years in President's House
circa 1928 – 1929
Legal Status
Free Person
Gender
Male
Race/Ethnicity
Black or African American
Presidencies
Calvin Coolidge
Herbert Hoover
Biography
In June 1928, an Evening Star article reported that Robert Robinson, a White House houseman, was among many staff members accompanying the Coolidges on their summer vacation.1 The duties of a houseman included cleaning, moving furniture, and other general housekeeping. Other articles from that summer call him the “official master of hounds at the Executive Mansion,” indicating that he cared for the Coolidge dogs.2 In 1929, Housekeeper Ellen A. Riley left a list of White House staff for incoming First Lady Lou Hoover. On that list, she wrote: “Robert Robinson, who cares for the dogs, checks umbrellas etc. in the lower corridor, and is useful generally…while part of the household [he is] paid from the Executive Office and…not under my jurisdiction.”3 Robinson was photographed caring for some of the Hoover dogs in March 1929, but does not appear on later staff lists. Another worker named Harry D. Waters was hired to take care of the Hoover dogs in 1929, suggesting that he may have replaced Robinson.4 Because there were multiple men named Robert Robinson living and working in Washington, D.C. during this time, it is difficult to identify further details about his life at present.
  1. “President’s Office Force Sets Record For Summer Duty,” Evening Star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.), 07 June 1928. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83045462/1928-06-07/ed-1/seq-4/. Some photographs at the Library of Congress identify Robinson as White House Kennel master ca. 1921-1923, but it appears they are actually referring to earlier Master of Hounds William X. Jackson. “[Robert R. Robinson, White House kennel master with the Harding's dog Laddie Boy on a leash, at White House, Washington, D.C.],” Library of Congress, Photograph, https://www.loc.gov/item/2016886324/.
  2. “White House Pets Will Go West,” Daily Local News (West Chester, PA), June 23, 1928, pg. 6.
  3. Ellen A. Riley to Lou Henry Hoover, January 1929, Lou Henry Hoover Papers, Subject Files, Servants and Aides General 1929-1933, Herbert Hoover Presidential Library.
  4. “King Tut, Whoopie, and Englehurst Gillette,” White House Historical Association Digital Archives, https://library.whitehousehistory.org/fotoweb/archives/5006-Digital-Library-WHHA/Main Index/Main Index/Presidents/Herbert Hoover/1277.tif.info
Birthplace
Unclear from Context
Unclear from Context
Related Workers
Wilson Jackson
Gardens, Grounds, and Flower Shop, 1907 – 1927
Harry D. Waters
Gardens, Grounds, and Flower Shop, Valets, Lady's Maids, and First Family Attendants, 1929 – 1961
Maurice Ward
Kitchen, Dining Room, Pantry, and Storeroom, Gardens, Grounds, and Flower Shop, circa 1923 – 1928